An aspirant for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2024 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has said the affairs of the state cannot be managed by someone who lacks the requisite experience in governance and leadership.
Oke, who stated this during an interactive session with newsmen in Akure, Ondo state capital, said he remains the most qualified of all the aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket, adding that he has both private and public experience to move the state forward
Oke, who expressed his commitment to the socio-economic development of the state, enhancing its security, safety and welfare, noted that the economy of the state is not only crucial to the state but to the nation
According to him, experience, capacity, and knowledge are some of the factors that separate him from anyone desirous of the number one seat in the state when the present administration winds up.
He said, “Ondo State needs a leader with vision, direction, and a sense of commitment—not just a leader coming to fill any gap but to serve the people of the state, and what I’m looking for now is a legacy because, whether we like it or not, Ondo State is in its state of war at this moment, and they need a dogged and rugged fighter with a mission, direction, and vision, and someone who will be able to change the narrative of our dear state.
“I believe that the government can open opportunities towards tapping our mineral resources, which will even generate employment, reduce criminality in our society, and even generate income for our people. So the state is in a total state of collapse.
“The next governor of Ondo State must be a determined and focused person who is ready to do the work and others. My dream and mission for Ondo State is that we cannot continue to wait in the same manner for another four years.
“Unless we change the directions, narratives, and others, we cannot move forward in this state, and I am the right man for the job.
“We need to take Ondo State to the level of riches, and God has given us everything that we need. So it is in our interest for society to grow and for development to be in Ondo State, and when all these things happen, we will all be the beneficiaries.”
Oke, who promised to turn around the economy of the state if elected governor, said he was running to be the people’s governor who represents the entire state.
He assured that his administration would invest in the educational system from the primary to the secondary and tertiary levels across the state in order to give relief to the students, parents, and guardians.
He added that plans were in place to make the state’s educational institutions where youths and students in Nigeria aspire to study, saying the lost glory of technical education will be restored.
“Our government will invest in infrastructure, education, and affordable healthcare, and we will provide an enabling environment for business so that more jobs can be created and ensure that workers’ salaries are paid as and when due.
“I had all my education in the rural area; I am a part of the people; I understand their suffering; I had suffered a lot with them; my involvement in the recent accident had nothing to do with bad roads. So having suffered with them, I believe I am the right man for the job.
“The next governor of Ondo State must be a determined and focused person who is ready to do the work. My dream and mission for Ondo State is that we cannot continue to wait in the same manner for another four years.
“Unless we change the directions, narratives, and others, we cannot move forward in this state, and I am the right man for the job.
“We need to take Ondo State to the level of riches, and God has given us everything that we need. So it is in our interest for society to grow and for development to be in Ondo State, and when all these things happen, we will all be the beneficiaries.”
On the power outage in the southern senatorial district, Oke said, “I was very instrumental to the inclusion of the dedicated line from Omotosho to Erinje in the budget.
“The project has been completed, but the distribution is the issue. But we will continue to agitate for the completion of this project. It is a priority project in my hands if God gives me the grace to govern this state.
On his aspiration, “The death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu caused elevation and de-elevation, parity and disparity in the politics and governance of Ondo State, but the truth of the math is that what would influence the leadership is who can do the job.
“Before the late Akeredolu travelled out, I met him in Ibadan to brief him about my aspiration and desire to succeed him, and when I came back to this state, I went straight to Lucky Aiyedatiwa to brief him too that I would be running for the position of governor, and he told me that it didn’t come to him as breaking news, that he knew that I had been on this and that I was very serious about it. But he (Aiyedatiwa) has not briefed me about his ambition.”
