Honestly speaking, this piece is devoid of sycophancy or malice. Rather, it is to stir up our consciousness as a people. Let us think deeply and see reason in what reasonable people are saying about who the cap fits to represent Akure North and Akure South in the House of Representatives, as we march toward a by-election in our federal constituency.
After a long wait, the seat formerly occupied by our late beloved brother, Hon Adedayo Omolafe popularly known as Expensive, was recently declared vacant by the speaker of the House of Representatives, RT Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. No doubt, the death of Hon Adedayo was shocking to us in Akure as he didn’t show any sign of illness. May God continue to rest him!
Meanwhile, aspirants seeking to replace him are waiting on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to blow the whistle for campaign activities to commence. More than 20 persons have signified interest to participate in the forthcoming by-election. The contest is, however, between the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Those showing interest in the two major parties are no strangers to us. They are our brothers and sisters. Few who are not that close, their antecedents are not unknown to us. We have had many avenues to interact with them. We can easily form our opinions about them.
This is not the best of time for trial and error. The APC as a party in the Akure federal constituency can not play hide and seek. It goes beyond sentiment or grandstanding. It is time to tell ourselves a bitter truth. Our party is not that okay, most particularly in Akure communities.
What should by now agigating the minds of men and women of good conscience is how our party can retrieve the seats in the Red and Green Chambers of the National Assembly that we lost to PDP in 2019. We should also be thinking about how to correct our failure to deliver Akure for Aketi in the last governorship election.
Premium must be placed on the character, intellect, capacity and values of the aspirants, not how deep their pockets are. We cannot be perpetually swimming in the pool of tyrannical mediocrity. A thorough and dispassionate analysis of those who aspire to lead us cannot be left for the mob. And Akure leaders have roles to play in this regard. It is appalling for a tenant to lead the landlord to his room.
But in all these, one man stands out tall among the many aspirants seeking their party’s tickets for the by-election. He is Prince Demola Adegoroye aka PDA. He does not need any introduction. Like Glo, his name is everywhere. It is a household name in the state.
PDA started his primary education at Omolere Nursery and Primary School, Akure,1973-1979. For his secondary education, he went to the Federal Government College, Ido-Ani, Ondo State, 1979-1984. He later proceeded to Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, for his Advanced Level,1985-1986. PDA studied law at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State , between 1986-1991. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, Lagos State between 1991-1992. Time will not permit me to write more about his profile.
Like a lion in the jungle, since PDA stepped into the race, other aspirants have been feeling uncomfortable and jittery. No wonder they nickname him the ‘game changer’.
He is brave, intelligent, generous and trustworthy. He always sets the pace for others to follow. His achievements in the Ondo State House of Assembly when he represented Akure South constituency 1 between 1999-2003 still speak volume about his Leadership acumen. His entry into the House of Representatives race is indeed a blessing for Akure community at this time. Akure is lucky to have him.