As the 2023 general elections approach, some stakeholders in Ibadan South East local government have thrown their weight behind the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige (a.k.a. Ige Again) to contest for the House of Representatives election to represent Ibadan South East/Ibadan North-East Federal Constituency Abuja.
The stakeholders which included the community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, students body, the youth, residents as well as PDP stalwarts in the said local government area, disclosed this during the separate meetings he had with them on consultation to intimate them on his aspiration to contest for the House of Representatives election in 2023.
The stakeholders who could not hide their feelings during the meetings noted that Ige’s records of unprecedented achievements will make the campaign less stressful for the PDP if the party gives him the ticket as its standard-bearer for Ibadan South East and Ibadan North-East Federal Constituency.
At the meeting, he had with PDP executives in Ibadan South East local government held at the party Secretariat office, Bode, Ibadan, the members of the executive who took a turn to make remarks, explained that Hon. Ige has used various positions he has occupied either as elected or appointed to raise others, especially the youths by giving them meaningful means of livelihood to become independent persons in life.
“It is on record that when you were the Chairman of Ibadan South East local government, you single-handedly employed nothing less than 350 youths. Many of them today have risen to the top cadre in civil service. Not only that, but you also assisted others who are indigenes of this local government to travel abroad and they are doing wonderfully well over there. You placed a high priority on security, health, women empowerment, sports and social development as well as building infrastructures that stand the test of time. You extend your humanitarian services to the Ibadan North-East local government which is part of our federal constituency and beyond.
“You are a reliable, dependable, trustworthy tested and trusted politician worthy of emulation. We are, therefore, happy that you are aspiring to contest the House of Representatives election and have no doubt that your candidature will make our campaign less strenuous for our party if you are given the mandate.” They were enthused.”
Speaking earlier at the meeting, one of the members of the entourage of Hon. Ige, Hon. Bimbo Adepoju who is the Supervisory Councilor for Work, Ibadan South East local government area disclosed that he and some party stalwarts met with Hon. Ige compelled him to come and contest because anywhere they go within and outside their constituency, people have been giving various testimonies about his personality and the good work he has been doing since the time he was council Chairman.
According to him, “we were made to know that Ige is a very good material that our party can present coupled with the good work that Engr Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor is doing across the length and breadth of the State. This is the reason why we had a talk with him and thereafter embark on this consultation with other stakeholders to solicit their support for him. We are also happy that the story and testimony have been the same from those that we have had a meeting with so far, an indication that he will do much more if given the chance to represent us at the national level.” He said.
In his remark at the meeting, Hon. Akeem Ige who is also the Baameto Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland told the party executives that he came to express his interest, consult and seek their blessing to contest for the House of Representatives to represent Ibadan South East/Ibadan North-East Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections.
He added that before he met with the local government party executives, he had held similar meetings with the traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youths, artisans, trade unions/pensioners and ward chairmen in Ibadan South East local government for the same purpose.
He said that as a grassroots politician who has very high regard and respect for party supremacy, he would always put the interest of the party first bearing in mind that the emergence of candidates for any position lies in the hand of the party.
He thanked the party executives for the show of love and the warm reception they accorded him and his entourage promising not to let them down if given the opportunity.
The party Chairman in Ibadan South East local government, Engr Sulaiman Adesina led the 17 members of his executive to receive Hon. Ige and his entourage.
Others on the entourage of Hon. Akeem Ige included the Chief of Staff Ibadan South East local government, Hon. Oludaye, Hon. Lawal Abiodun – Special Adviser to the Chairman on Environment, Hon. Iyiola – Special Adviser to the Chairman on Health, Oyo South Senatorial Youth Leader, Hon. Taofeek Oladejo and others.
