Bilkisu Afere
Lagos, Nigeria
The off cycle election in Ondo state to elect a new governor is about 8 months away, but more importantly the primaries of political parties to choose their flag bearers is less than 2 months from now.
The fever pitch activities that should naturally characterise the preparation for the primaries have essentially been overshadowed by preparations for late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s burial, but underground work by the aspirants is still going on massively.
May Arakunrin Akeredolu enjoy eternal rest.
All through last week there was hardly any gathering of informed minds where I was present that the issue of aspirants for the APC ticket was not discussed, and topping the list of issues discussed was whether or not Princess Oladunni Odu is still in the race to the Alagbaka government house.
As a woman I felt good knowing that a fellow woman is the issue in a major election in Ondo state
There was even a comment by a front line politician at one of the gatherings that really got me thinking. The highly respected man in his late 70s said “Odu is too clean to play in a dirty pool, and the present race is already dirty with treachery, betrayal, acrimony and strife characterising events leading to the party primaries.
I was going to say Princess Odu is a veteran of politics, and so would not quit because of dirt, neither will she play dirty, but I refrained from saying anything since Princess Odu has not said she is no longer interested.
I also learnt that some powerful elements both in the party and in government are trying to bully her out of the race, but I found that hard to swallow as I asked myself “on what basis?”
I read a piece recently by one Adetola Adigun asking whether women are politically jinxed. That piece also got me thinking, and as I write this piece I am asking myself whether that piece had anything to do with Princess Odu quitting the race. Does the author know something the rest of us do not know?
The truth is Princess Odu needs to tell the world whether she is still in or she is bowing to pressure to quit, because with the volume of people who are rooting for her to be Governor it will not be in her interest to leave them hanging, more so I learnt she is not giving her teeming supporters money to work for her. She is simply enjoying massive love from years of diligent service and love for the people.
I haven’t even seen her on a single billboard!!!!!! I must admit however that election victory is not just by billboards.
There Is no gainsaying the fact that Ondo state desperately needs an intelligent, brilliant, experienced and focused Governor to take it to the strategic new level of development, especially after the political upheaval that almost brought it to its knees.
The Ikale Princess certainly has all those qualities, plus she is a fantastic strategist when it comes to uniting people.
Ondo has always been the political powerhouse of the Southwest since the Ajasin days, and the state has not lost that place in the regional scheme of things. It MUST NOT lose that place, but it can’t happen by wishful thinking. It needs competent leadership.
The state is also reputed to have the most massive volume of resources; human and material, making it the toast of serious minded investors, and the people seem to have finally woken up to this reality, with the successful opening up of the state’s huge investment potentials by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu before he went to be with the Lord.
If properly managed, the state’s resources are enough to make it the go-to place for investment, work and relaxation.
Ondo also has very politically conscious people, little wonder the large number of citizens who are showing interest in the forthcoming election.
I am convinced that Princess Odu is the best material for the job, and I think she shouldn’t quit. If she does she will break many hearts, but if SHE MUST QUIT she owes us her supporters, and people of the state who yearn for her leadership a lot of explanation.
