THE desire of Oke Ogun zone of Oyo State to produce the next state governor has got a boost with incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi asserting that the zone deserves his support in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
Ajimobi premised this on the huge support of people of Oke Ogun zone for his re-emergence as governor in 2015.
Ajimobi who spoke at the weekend in Kajola Local Government Area of the state, where he attended the fidau prayers of a stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Salami Oloola, said the 2019 election was another opportunity for him to reciprocate the support of the Oke Ogun people.
However noting that Ibadan zone alone commands at least 52 per cent of the state’s population, he admonished the Oke Ogun people to seek the support of the other zones of the state to realise its desire.
“I can recall vividly that during the 2015 governorship election, I won in nine out of the 10 local governments in Oke-Ogun, and this aided my emergence as the first governor to secure a second term in office in Oyo State.”
“I cannot thank you enough. I will forever cherish you my people from Oke-Ogun and I am using this opportunity to assure you that I will reciprocate your love for me. Without prejudice to the competence and legitimacy of aspirants from other zones nursing the ambition of succeeding me, I can say the people of Oke Ogun deserve my support.”
“But, I will advise that you seek the support of people from other zones. You must win them over to win a governorship election. For instance Ibadan people alone constitute about 52 per cent of the population.”
Ibadan zone has produced five out of the six civilian governors that has ruled the state, apart from Adebayo Alao-Akala that emerged from Ogbomoso zone.
Ajimobi said his long-time support for the zone was epitomised in the selection of high number of commissioners, construction of roads and other infrastructure, and establishment of new tertiary institutions in Oke Ogun areas.
He identified the openness, love for his fellow men and commitment to party affairs of the late Salami Oloola.
Speaking earlier, the Onjo of Okeho, Oba Abdulrafiu Adekiitan, appreciated the Ajimobi led administration for sitting the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology in Okeho.