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Ondo 2020: Kekemeke as a formidable option for Alagbaka
Now that the dust raised by the 2019 elections is gradually settling, there would be no better time to start preparation and debate over the next most important political event that concerns Ondo state than now.
All things being equal, Ondo goes to poll again in 2020 to decide who governs the state for another four years.
While many aspirants across the political parties have been indicating interest in the plum job of Ondo State Governor, voices on the streets indicate that a plurality of Ondo State people want a candidate with rich and abundance experience in the governance of the state and have better understanding of how things should be run. Not a new comer who may find it difficult to hit the ground running on assumption of office.
This public opinion no doubt is creating an obvious opportunity for a few among the aspirants and may prune down the number of aspirants presently eyeing the Alagbaka seat.
So who is likely to be a better torchbearer to lead Ondo in another four years?
Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke stands out among the present crop of Ondo politicians who may likely indicate interest to govern Ondo state.
Although he has not indicated his interest in succeeding his learned colleague, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, he is definitely not a neophyte, neither is he a political opportunist, he had paid his dues in professional career and in the political scene and he is highly favoured by the present public yearning for an experienced administrator who has a better grasp of Ondo State system.
Not a lot of people will contemplate it that D.I Kekemeke will be a better successor, putting into consideration his years of service to the good people of Ondo State as a former member of the state house of assembly, Attorney general, Works commissioner and later as Secretary to Ondo State Government.
The only politician in Ondo state with such high profile of service to the state before becoming governor is former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
With the elections just about 19 months away, it will not be too early to start assessing the intimidating profile of Kekemeke.
Efforts to lure Kekemeke into the 2016 governorship race proved abortive. He turned down all entreaties to give it a shot then, not because he is not qualified, but he had a good understanding of the rigors of such an endeavour while he was the state chairman of the APC, with the party embroiled in unsettled scores. He had offer himself as a sacrificial lamb for the peace of the party, having the interest of the party as paramount to him.
He let go and the party came out of the election stronger, winning Ondo state.
Born in 1963 at Agadagba-Obon in the southern senatorial district of Ondo State, Kekemeke is a graduate of Law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. He is presently pursuing his doctoral degree at the Ekiti State University.
He has served in several capacities in Ondo state and at the federal level. Kekemeke was the pioneer chairman of the board of National Examination Council (NECO).
By profile, experience and the right contact, Kekemeke has all at his disposal to bolster his gubernatorial chances.
As a committed member of the APC, he has close contact with party leadership to scale through at the primaries and offer better service to the state.
Although age doesn’t supersede personal appeal, Kekemeke stands at vantage point with his age, he is less than 60years and has the strength to deliver and cope with the pressure that comes with being a Governor in this contemporary age.