Omole was defeated by Emmanuel Gbogi, who clinched the Akoko Southwest Constituency 1 ticket in the APC Primary held on Thursday, May 26
By Mosope Michaels
Ondo State House of Assembly’s spokesman, Akogun Olugbenga Omole has failed in his bid to get re-elected into the legislative arm of the state government.
Omole was defeated by Emmanuel Gbogi, who clinched the Akoko Southwest Constituency 1 ticket in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary held on Thursday, May 26 in Ondo State.
The outcome of the election was ironic and shocking because apart from the incumbency factor, the spokesman, who doubled as the Chairman, House Committee on lnformation, Youths and Sports was endorsed by the Federation of Oka Students Union, Adekunle Ajasin University chapter, less than 24 hours to the APC Primary.
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The students union led by their President, Balogun Anthony described the lawmaker as a capable and dependable leader who has immense passion for the welfare and development of the students, while the National Association of Ondo State students (NAOSS) had enlisted Omole as a recipient of an award of excellence for his contribution to the development of the youths.
Prior to that, he got the endorsement of the Elders Forum and Leaders of the APC in the constituency, and the
Chairman of the Forum, Elder Kola Ogungbe described him as a true son of the land with impeccable character and an outstanding record of achievements in all ramifications.
The Leaders Forum which is a coalition of former Ward Chairmen, Women Leaders, and Local Government Excos led by Ope Igbede appreciated Omole for always putting the interest of his people first and at this particular time, Oka needed a ranking member in the House of Assembly.
However, APC delegates in the constituency seem unimpressed with the accolades showered on the legislator, as they put paid to his re-election bid.
Rather, they opted for their preferred candidate, Emmanuel Gbogi who gathered 19 votes to win the election, he was followed by David Ajobiewe who came second with 12 votes.
The incumbent lawmaker, Omole came a distant third with just 6 votes, meaning he will not be representing the people of Akoko Southwest Constituency 1 in the next legislative session.