Sunday Idowu, an industrialist, is a strong voice behind those clamouring for Akure indigene to clinch Ondo governorship in 2016. He speaks with Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, on the reasons behind the agitation, among other issues.
Actors behind the Akure agenda on Ondo governorship election
The essence of every human being is to develop his or her immediate environment. Akure Division, which has been granted state capital status since 1976, is being marginalised in the scheme of things, particularly in the political circle. There are four local government areas in Akure Division namely Idanre, Ifedore, Akure North and Akure South. By my calculation, Okitipupa Division had produced a governor and deputy governor; Ondo Division is currently in power in the state; Akoko Division had produced a governor and two deputies; and Owo Division produced the first civilian governor of the state, Adekunle Ajasin.
However, it is painful that Akure Division, with the largest votes in the state, has only produced one deputy governor since 1976. We are only appealing to our brothers and sisters in other divisions to exhibit fair play, since we have been magnanimous in our votes anytime they bring out their candidates; we have been supporting them and this is payback time. We should be considered.
Determination of Akure indigenes in the struggle, given the impression that Akure people hardly speak with one voice
We are very much determined this time around. With our votes and numerical strength, we are more resolute with this agenda. If any political party brings a candidate that is from our division, we will embrace such person and support him fully. We are not hinging our agitation on party affiliation of either Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or All Progressives Congress (APC). When we get there, we will know what to do next.
We have been able to meet many prospective aspirants from PDP and APC. This is a collective struggle. All traditional rulers in Akure Division are in our support. The notion that Akure cannot speak with one voice will be defeated this time around because we will invoke the spirit of our ancestors on whoever that wants to betray our collective goal.
Involvement of Governor Olusegun Mimiko on the Akure Agenda
Except few months of Olu Falae as Minister for Finance, Akure has never got any key position in the federal cabinet. Economically, we are backward, and we marginalised ourselves by not coming together as a formidable force. Akure people have been supporting Mimiko’s government. It is to his political survival that Akure person should be picked as the next governor in the state. Ditto for APC. If they pick candidate from Akoko, they would fail. We are now sounding it clear to both sides. This should be time for Mimiko to reciprocate what Akure people have been doing for him.
Political party affiliation
I am not a politician. I am a business man and employer of labour; but I have interest in the development of my community, Akure. I sojourned for many years in Akwa Ibom State. I am not partisan. The APC candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Okon Umana Okon, is my good friend; the same way I am close to the former governor in the state, Godswill Akpabio, a PDP chieftain and presently a Senator. I have friends in all the political parties.
Assessment of the state of affairs in Ondo
The situation is so pathetic. With all resources that abound in the state, there is no single line of production. Bitumen, for example, is said to be a federal project and we allow ourselves to remain cowardly through retrogressive legislation. In Ondo South, for example, there is no electricity in the past one year, an area that is laying the golden eggs with which the state is surviving (crude oil). It is so unfortunate; we are too complacent in Ondo.
