Dr Benson Enikuomehin, a former Senior Special Assistant to the late ex-governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has described governorship aspirant Olusola Oke as the “best candidate”.
Oke is vying for the governorship seat under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
His challengers are incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, among others.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Thursday, April 4, Enikuomehin, a lawyer, said Oke is the most suitable candidate for the position due to his extensive experience and wide-ranging exposure compared to other aspirants.
The former representative of Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) stressed that “only Oke can take our state to the next level in terms of development”, calling on the people of the state, particularly APC leaders and members, to support the governorship hopeful ahead of the party’s forthcoming primary election.
Enikuomehin further described Oke as a grassroots politician and a man of credibility, reliability, discipline, and integrity with good educational qualifications, saying the gubernatorial aspirant has sold himself to the people of Ondo State.
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The lawyer said: “All the candidates are qualified and have what it takes in both the APC and PDP but if I am to contest with Olusola Oke, I will step down for him because has sold himself well to the people and he is the only candidate not holding a political office.
“He used his position at the Niger Delta Development Commission to contribute to the development of the state and this is the time to allow him to rule our dear state and move it forward.
“A year before late Akeredolu died, Oke met him in Ibadan and told him he would be contesting. Oke returned to Akure to inform Aiyedatiwa who was then the deputy governor and told him he would be contesting and the deputy governor never told him about his ambition that day.
“Ondo people need to get it right. If we are to select who governs us, we need to look at their credibility, how reliable, and how their integrity stands. We need to look at their educational qualifications and how acceptable they are in the state.”
Speaking on the zoning of the governorship ticket to Ondo South, Enikuomehin commended both the ruling APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the decision, stressing that the “South deserves eight unbroken years”.
“If Ondo South is allowed to take charge, it will be good for the state because other zones have enjoyed the privilege. If it goes to the South, then Olusola Oke is the way,” he added.
Enikuomehin, who said the PDP “is not a dead party and nobody should toy with them”, warned the APC to “put its house in order and ensure a credible election is conducted for the governorship aspirants.”
The former NDDC official, therefore, accused the people of Ondo Central of supporting Aiyedatiwa for the return of the gubernatorial ticket to the region after a four-year regime.
He said: “Ondo Central is playing a game of allowing Governor Aiyedatiwa to win the ticket and the Nigeria constitution says he can only use one term after completing another term.
“The Central wants him to get it for it to return to them but that is not the way to go. It is for the South and Olusola Oke is the right man for the job.”
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