Governor Aiyedatiwa continued his tour across the 18 Local Government areas yesterday. It was the turn of Odigbo, Okitipupa and Ilaje respectively.
Odigbo, despite being historically reputed as an impregnable forest in the wilderness, gave its best willingly to Governor Aiyedatiwa. There could be only one explanation for the large turnout of party faithful in Odigbo yesterday. It's codified in an unconditional love expressed freely by the people to their Governor. We thank the Hausa, Igbo and other tribes that raised their voices in hope that a better Ondo state should spring up under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Moreover, Odigbo has its peculiarity. It is a land that accommodates all tongues and tribes. Such ingenuity of inclusivity is one major reason Odigbo is waxing stronger in commerce and politics. It is the same inclusivity that Governor Aiyedatiwa's name typifies. You still wonder why the people of Ondo state are taking ownership of the Aiyedatiwa's project? It is instructive to note that a former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ogundeji Iroju, formally joined the APC.
However, Okitipupa pulled its strings in a unique manner. For the love of Governor Aiyedatiwa and Ondo State in general, Okitipupa stood still for good governance beyond 2025. It was electrifying. The leaders and members of the APC in Okitipupa didn't mince words. They spoke unequivocally with the multitude of people that trooped into the gathering. They were loud enough to send shivers down the spines of opponents.
Expectedly, the people of Ilaje used their tongue to count their teeth. It was a time to weigh their options. Just as God has placed before all men the options of life and death, Ilaje people have got to choose between certainty and uncertainty. They knew what they have been through over the years in the political firmament of Ondo State.
What do you expect from an average fisherman who goes to the ocean to bait fish? Won't they understand tricks better? They can easily differentiate good from bad. They are aware that a fish in the basket is more than millions in the free ocean.
If there is anything called home advantage, Governor Aiyedatiwa had it yesterday. He broke the jinx of a prophet being without honour among his own people. Aiyedatiwa was on the horse of honour from the palace to the worship Centre and the open field where he met with a large crowd of party faithful. Nobody needed to sit on the fence. Ilaje nation has always wanted a shot at Alagbaka and they got it miraculously. What matters to them now is how to protect it beyond 2025. Haven't they tried without success in the past? Haven't they invested heavily until providence happened to them? You think they will gamble? Ilaje showed wisdom already by standing by their 'certainty'.
'Awalokan' resonated deeply in Ilaje yesterday. You would feel it in the energetic Ilaje anthem passionately echoed by all in full strength. Even strangers stretched forth their fists as if in readiness for taekwondo. The oceans billowed it. Was it not a simulacrum of hope that trees bowed in acceptance of the wishes of the people? Aiyedatiwa is the face of hope. Thankfully, his role is not to create an empire for himself but to liberate his people, salvage things, create a pathway for sustainable development and progress while making Ondo state great in all ramifications.
