ABEOKUTA – The governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun state, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye has described his emergence as unprecedented being the only governorship candidate from Ogun West Senatorial District.
Otegbeye spoke on Thursday at the palace of Olu Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle in Ilaro-Yewa.
Otegbeye was at the palace to seek the blessing of the royal father ahead of the governorship campaign.
The legal practitioner cum politician said being the first time Yewa/Awori would have a single candidate since the return of democracy in 1999, called on the electorate particularly people of Yewa/Awori to support him.
He recalled how the region lost the opportunity to govern the state in 2011, 2015 and 2019 with multiple governorship candidates coming from the zone which truncated their chances.
He noted that, if the duo of Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Hon. AbdulKabir Adekunle Akinlade had united in 2019, Ogun West would have produced governor.
He said “Kabiyesi, if not for God I wouldn’t have been here as a governorship candidate. Not until INEC pasted my name, I know I will be running. My candidacy is unprecedented in Ogun West for the first time.
“Ogun West lost the opportunity in 2011 when two of our sons in Gboyega Isiaka and General Adetunji Olurin contested against Senator Amosun, and in 2015, Senator Akin Odunsi square up against and Gboyega Isiaka which split our votes. Also in 2019, our sons Hon. Adekunle Akinlade and Gboyega Isiaka, if the duo has united, Yewa/Awori would have become governor.
“On many occasions, Kabiyesi has preached unity and God has destined it that in 2023 Ogun West has one unity. Kabiyesi, our time is now sir. This is not a campaign period, I have only come to visit my father. I have come to say I can’t be successful in this journey without your blessing. Apart from sitting on a royal throne of your father, you’re also a man of God as a pastor. I have come to seek your anointing and royal blessing.”
Responding, the Olu Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle urged the governorship candidate to seek God’s favour in his political journey.
Oba Olugbenle, therefore, cautioned politicians, especially from Yewa extraction to avoid bloodshed.
“I am not a politician. To be successful in politics is of God. This journey is of God, there’s nothing worldly kings can do to stop the work of God. Barrister Otegbeye always use me as a reference to God in your prayer.
“Prayer answers not power. Put your journey before God. I want to plead with you and your supporters to avoid bloodshed because you want to become Governor. Bloodshed in Yewa was part of the reasons for our backwardness in Yewa.
“Caution your social media boys from hurling abusive words. Avoid bloodshed. Don’t kill because of Barrister Biyi Otegbeye. Avoid bloodshed no matter the provocation,” Oba Olugbenle submitted.
