The adoption of the Direct Mode of primary by the APC is a great blessing to the party in Ondo state. It measures squarely the strength of the party in the state. Aside that, it whets the appetite of party faithful and reawakens their collective consciousness to the sound path of victory for the party. It's like raising dead bones. It's knocking off inertia while refueling the empty bowels of party faithful before a major plebiscite.
Governor Aiyedatiwa continued his tour across the 18 Local Government areas with his visit to Ese-Odo, Irele and Akure South yesterday.
Ese-Odo, the native land of Barr. Allen Sowore, the man who has blessed us with delectable political imageries in Ondo state, stood shoulder to shoulder with Ilaje. Allen gave us 'Okete' and enriched our political lexicon with 'Pajapaja'. These are beautiful things that make Ondo state special.
At Igbekebo, the venue of the meeting of party faithful with their Governor, the people of Ese-Odo showcased irresistible brotherliness. They resolved to outdo what Ilaje did. They re-echoed the inseparable bond of love that nature has infused in them. Ilaje and Ese-Odo share same umbilical cord. Whatever Aiyedatiwa got in Ilaje, he got more in Ese-Odo as party members in the Local Government vowed to support him.
In the same manner, history stubbornly reconnected the nexus between the 'Ureles' and the Ilaje people while at Irele kingdom yesterday. Governor Aiyedatiwa didn't just dance but was at home with his people in their dialect. Men and brethren, I saw a carnival in Irele, the native land of Jimmy Adekanle (JAF) and Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan. It's not a time to write about how Prof. Simidele Odimayo broke Executive Order as he joyfully sang even when the Governor had ordered 'no more song' Executive Order 1 and 2. Thankfully, Mr Dapo Olumurphy Aruwajoye claimed Exco members were exempted. I hope to challenge his interpretation in the open 'bar' after Governor Aiyedatiwa had won on Saturday.
Irele turned up to a point that I had to ask Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye why politicians who are still claiming to be in the race couldn't just team up with Governor Aiyedatiwa and allow him run unchallenged. That's more honourable. Unfortunately, politicians are not realists.
I told you that Governor Aiyedatiwa gave Executive Order 1 and 2, banning songs till he finished his speech in Irele, it was a measure to honour the waiting enthusiastic crowd in Akure South whose time had been badly encroached by the Irele people who wanted a carnival-like campaign.
Akure is truly the capital city even in doings. They were thankful to the Governor for making Akure a decent city. They thanked him for taking away darkness from the city of Akure. It was an harvest of many thanks as the people resolved that Governor Aiyedatiwa continues with his purposeful leadership beyond 2025.
On behalf of the Governor, I wish to thank party faithful in Akure South for the patience of a long wait. They stood till they saw their Governor. Such rare display of love cannot be ignored. Akure South surely knows how to repay good and Governor Aiyedatiwa cannot but do more for them.
As the tour shifts to Ondo North today, we do not expect less. The wave of love is blowing everywhere in the state.