At the event tagged “The Clarion Call of Mission of His Excellency”, held at state party Secretariat, Oke-Ado, party members said they were compelled to ask Ajimobi to run for Senate in 2019 because the APC did want Ajimobi to become just a titular leader of the party after leaving office as governor.
Saturday’s event which follows a similar rally held in Lanlate in February had in attendance, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo and other lawmakers like Kehinde Subair, Olusegun Ajanaku, Bolanle Agbaje, Olusegun Ajanaku, Akeem Abimbola, Jimoh Rafiu; Chairman APC Oyo South Senatorial District, Mr Adefisoye Adekanye; Director of Mobilization, APC, Mr John Ige; Women Leader, Oyo South Senatorial District, Mrs Olabode Balikis.
Others are Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and his finance counterpart, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi; Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Political Matters, Dr Morounkola Thomas; Caretaker Chairmen of local government areas in Ibadan and Ibarapa zones on the state with Chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government, Mr Bosun Ajuwon speaking on their behalf.
State Secretary of the APC, Mr Mojeed Olaoya who led the various addresses, said the party could not afford to lose the experience, wisdom and knowledge of Ajimobi after his term as governor, hence want him to remain within the corridors of power.
Pointing to the achievements of Governor Ajimobi which he described as unequalled in the history of the state, Olaoya said party members would go the long haul to beg Ajimobi to see reasons to heed the clarion call to contest.
Olaoya also identified political permutations that the Senate Presidential seat will be zoned to the South West in 2019, and that Ajimobi was best positioned to clinch that position if he is in the Senate.
“No governor has been able to equal the achievements of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. In the current Senate, most of the Senators from the Senate President to others are former governors for one or two terms.
“We cannot afford to lose the noble experience, wisdom, idea of the governor after his eight years in office. Importantly, he is a leader of the party and we don’t want him to be just a titular leader. We have had the experience that if a former governor is not put into function, they just remain titular and a toothless bulldog. We want Ajimobi to still be in the corridors of authority or power.
“In Kwara state, Saraki remains a leader of repute, not just a titular leader. We want a similar thing in Abiola Ajimobi. That knowledge must continue. The constitution does not allow him to go for a third term as governor but the constitution allows him to go to the Senate as many times as possible.
“With the calculation of politics in 2019, we foresee the possibility that the Senate President position will be zoned to the South West. When this is done, not just anyone will be Senate President. And I know that nobody can compete with Abiola Ajimobi if it is zoned to the South West. This is because Ajimobi is a material for the South West.
“This is a clarion call of mission and we are begging Abiola Ajimobi to contest and we will stand on his neck for him to accept the call. When we tell him the reason why he must contest, he will be forced to answer to our call. We know that he will accept our call. We’ll prostrate for him and he will not have any choice than to accept our call,” Olaoya said.
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A representative of Governor Ajimobi, Dr Morounkola Thomas said the call was appropriate, noting that Ajimobi having served as Senator between 2003 and 2007, would offer quality representation for his constituency if he emerges again.
Though he said Ajimobi’s mind was not yet focused on contesting as Senator, Thomas said he was convinced that Ajimobi would heed the call of his constituents.
“We are looking for quality representation, we are looking for a representation that is tailored towards the development of our area. We are looking for someone who will bring us things that will make our constituency develop. We are not looking for Senators that will pursue their own personal agenda. The governor having served for seven years has shown that he is capable. I believe that he will do well as a Senator after completing his tenure in 2019.
“He is a man of the people. I know he has not focused his mind on this kind of project but we are setting an agenda for him and we are hoping that he will contest as Senator. I have been informing him of the fact that the people are saying that the Senatorial ticket is for him to take. People want him to serve more. He is looking at his age and his commitment at the national level. But politics is local and he has to represent his local people and I know that by the grace of God, he will heed the call.
Responding to question on what the fate of the incumbent holder of the Oyo South Senatorial Seat, Soji Akanbi, Thomas ruled out compensation, noting that Akanbi had to struggle for his political survival.
“There is no compensation in politics. You struggle for power. If the constituents believe that he (Soji Akanbi) has served well, they will give him the ticket. Those of us here talking believe that Ajimobi is the man to go to the represent this Senatorial district. Power is not dashed. The incumbent has to struggle for his political survival. He is my friend and I wish him all,” Thomas said.
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