BY RICHARD AKINTADE, OSOGBO
Elated by his well laid down programmes, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran has drummed support for the aspirations of Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi who is standing as the Accord candidate in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The paramount ruler of Ijesaland in his reaction to Ogunbiyi who stormed his palace on Wednesday with his deputy, Alhaji Kunle Jimoh and his supporters expressed delight at Accord’s candidate’s plan for the state.
Surrounded by his chiefs, Oba Aromolaran donated specific amounts of money to the Accord’s campaign funds and spoke glowingly of Ijesa people who he said contributed towards the building of his palace.
The monarch, who endorsed and prayed fervently for Ogunbiyi’s success, revealed that he refused to take any money from politicians who have been parading his palace.
Earlier, Ogunbiyi had taken time to highlight his manifestos and promised to deliver Osun State out of poverty by ensuring provision of jobs, allowing full autonomy of local government administration, reviving agricultural, educational, mining and health sectors.
He said, “I present myself for service. I have the education, the capacity and the national and international connections to lead Osun State. I am coming from the private sector where over 5,000 people in Nigeria are working under me and I am bringing the same experience to the state.
“I started from the insurance business at the age of 29 and with a loan of N5m and now we are into oil and gas, real estate, transportation, agriculture and I have companies in Liberia, Cameroon and Niger Republic. I have the experience to make a positive impact in Osun State”, Ogunbiyi added.
The governorship hopeful later met with about 49 other Ijesa traditional rulers who welcomed him with open hands and expressed their full support for his aspiration.
Apart from individual prayers rendered to him, the monarchs brought Ogunbiyi and his deputy into their midst, prayed for them and promised to do everything to ensure their success.
