Ondo Guber: Foremost Ilaje Monarchs Endorse PDP Aspirant, Jegede
Traditional rulers in Ilaje Local Government Areas of the state have endorsed Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, a leading gubernatorial aspirant of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with less than two weeks to the party’s primary election.
Mr. Jegede’s endorsement by the monarchs comes on heels of wide spread rumor that his governorship ambition was an acceptance of the regional political sentiment ‘Akure Agenda’ which is a politics of the Central Senatorial District where he hails from with the outgoing governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Jegede, however, had repeatedly disclosed that his political ambition to become the next governor of the state after Dr. Olusegun Mimiko doesn’t based on regional sentiment or agenda.
Speaking during the endorsement, the Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Lawrence Omowole, said judging by the pedigree and track records of the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice- is qualified to occupy the number one seat of the state.
“I have attended many fora on the upcoming elections where some of the aspirants jostling for the governorship post were x-rayed and I can say that Eyitayo Jegede is the most qualified of them”, he said.
At the palace of the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan rendered some special prayers for Mr. Jegede and noted that he was convinced about his maturity in handling issues.
Akinruntan explained that the general acceptability of the leading PDP aspirant across the state would pave way for him in winning the forthcoming election advised him to carry the people of Ilaje along if eventually emerged as the governor.
“Jegede has this uncommon quality in resolving seemingly tough situations in a calm manner, and I can say he is truly our son and we will give him our votes without thinking twice.
Eyitayo Jegede got the endorsement of the Monarchs including the Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Lawrence Omowole, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Dr Fredrick Akinrutan, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo and the Olubo of Obe Nla, Oba Kolawole Ikuesan during his’Meet the Delegates tour to Ilaje Council Area’.
Also, the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo described Mr. Jegede as a very cerebral lawyer who used his former position as Attorney General and Justice Commissioner to promote administration of justice even among the traditional institutions in the state.
Oba Odidiomo promised to use all the machinery in his capacity to give the governorship aspirant hopeful all the necessary support in his aspiration for a higher position in the state.
The Olubo of Obe nla, Oba Kolawole Ikuesan also promised to rally support for the governorship aspirant noting that the crowd of supporters on his entourage including prominent sons and daughters of Ilaje is an eloquent testimony that he is well loved and accepted.
Addressing journalists shortly after the tour, Mr. Jegede appreciated the monarchs for the various endorsements noting that it was devoid of ethnic or sectional sentiments.
”I am grateful for this endorsement which has indeed shown that Ondo state is one and this is profound for me as it is strictly on the basis of merit and not on sectional or ethnic sentiments.
“The truth is that we need our best team for the upcoming race and not even the second best because only the best is right for the people of Ondo state and we are convinced we are in this race to win”, Jegede said.
He vowed to look into the demands and quest of the various communities in the riverine areas for more development while reinstating his commitment towards building a stronger economy for the state in order to improve on the achievements of the outgoing administration.
The Daily Times gathered that during the tour and meeting with delegates of the party, one of the governorship aspirant and erstwhile Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Amuwa Benson decided to drop his governorship ambition to support Mr. Eyitayo Jegede for the candidate of the party.
