At Owo today ,the erstwhile Deputy Speaker of the Eighth (8th) Assembly ,Hon. Ayo Arowele , a refined political giant, renowned hotelier and magnate in the hospitality industry paid a surprised visit to the Local Government Executive Committee members and the entire eleven (11) Ward Chairmen at their meeting held at the Palace of High Ch. Idris Okeowo Olafimihan-Asaba,the Local Government Chairman of PDP, the leading opposition party in Nigeria and the largest party in Africa.
You will all recall that the workaholic and indefatigable leader who is also a seasoned community development advocate, a human capacity builder ,an astute political gladiator and an unrepentant fighter had defected to the PDP from APC in 2020 to support the gubernatorial aspiration of his political associate, the former embattled Deputy Governor to HE, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu,SAN of APC, Hon. Agboola Ajayi few days to the governorship primary of the PDP scheduled for 10th October, 2020 having left the umbrella party previously in 2017 after the party lost to the APC in the gubernatorial election between Akeredolu and Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP. He has remained in the party since then but a few days ago, Ayo led many political stalwarts back to the PDP officially in Ehin-Ogbe Ward (I) in the LGA.
Rumour of tentative romance with the ruling APC was today vehemently punctured as Hon. Arowelele now nicknamed Welewele because of his political antecedents and philanthropic gestures as regards empowerment of party members and constituents paid a surprised but courtesy visit to the highest party officers of the local government area. His visit has both cleared doubt Andy made concrete the rumour making round that the top-notch in the party may be eyeing the National Assembly as Honourable Member of House of Representatives in Abuja ,but was never mentioned by him in his address except his pledge to revisit in with pomps and pageantries.
Asaba while welcoming him officially to the local government described Hon. Arowelele as a philanthropist of note ,a renowned grassroots mobilizer and a fine personality without blemishes. He stressed that he has always respected the feelings of his constituents and never for once left his people in the lurch. According to him, " Arowelele is my friend. I told him to remain in PDP then ,but he never listened. Today I'm vindicated. He left the APC when the ovation was loudest. This is a pass mark for him. He is our brother, we have welcomed him previously and we welcome him again and again."
The amiable former law maker with finesce,in his address , informed the Central Working Committee in Owo LGA of his mission to make a difference. He later plegded his undivided loyalty and indivisible faithfulness to the party while also appreciating the warmed hospitality he received today and previously from the party stakeholders especially Central Working Committee members as he strongly saluted their courage to fight on despite manifesting inadequacies and stories of lack. He later thanked them for their steadfastness and loyalty over the years of great challenges of the party as it faced teething challenges. Hon. Ayo Arowelele finally declared," I'm here today to let you know that my stay in the PDP is steady. I'm here for good as I pledge not to double date. I have come to greet you all, and to identify with you all once again as my leaders because I believe in party supremacy. Pretty soon ,I shall come back to you bigger and stronger with a new mandate. Indeed, you have made me proud, I'm both honoured and humbled by your warmth and aura. I thank you most sincerely from the bottom of my heart for this exceptional welcome. It's greatly treasured by me, and I will be grateful always."
Alhaji Obanigba,the Vice-Chairman of Ijebu 2 Ward 5, pleaded with the political juggernaut to help bring back those who previously left with him then to the APC who are today stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. For Ch. Oronbato, the versed Chairmanof Igboroko 2 Ward 3 and a chief with long standing in Owo, he described Hon. Arowelele as an uncommon politician with a heart of gold and a deep pocket. He was full of appreciations to the parliamentarian who he said changed the political dynamic in the local government during Gov. Mimiko's regime as an MHA candidate for Owo Constituent (I) apart from assisting him and any like him with cash and in kind during the period. He didn't forget to pay homage to Late Hon. Awodeyi who also served Owo people meritoriously with a medal.
The local government Organizing Secretary, Hon. Modebola Fadimine maintained that without doubt a very significant change in a positive way shall be brought into the PDP now that Arowelele has come with full steam as this visit has announced. "We are aware of his "molue" tactics ( Arowelele De Ibo De) in political mobilization", he submitted finally.
It is interesting to remember that Hon. Arowelele was a two-term/ranking parliamentarian whose immense contributions to the growth and progress of the sunshine state through the Hallowed Chamber of Ondo State House of Assembly cannot be over-emphasized.He won election on the platform of Labour Party under HE, Dr Olusegun Rahman Mimiko-led state government under Labour Party but later decamped to APC after he became the MHA representing Owo Constituency (I) under the PDP the second time when Labour Party (LP) collapsed into the PDP.
There is rumour making round that Arowelele shall run as Member, House of Representatives, Owo/Ose Federal Constituency this year. There are serious feelers from the grapevines that Dr Bode Ayorinde too ,a brilliant university don and the amiable Pro-Chencellor of The Achiever's University ,Owo, who is a former distinguished MHP in the 8th Assembly; and Arch. Sadiq Obanoyen,a former indefatigable Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Ondo State, a former ebullient legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President,Rt. Hon. Ike Ekeremadu and the immediate resolute and highly cerebral MHR candidate of the Federal Constituency for PDP in 2019 ; as well as the dove-liked Dr Toyin Abitoye, the son of the political bigwig and former Honourable Minister of State, Education, Dr (Ch.) Adewumi Abitoye, who is a very soft-spoken medical practitioner and fine politician with great pedigree of dignity, integrity and devotion who resides and works in United States are also possibly believed to be eyeing the coveted seat in the Green Chamber.
Recently, a young talent and new entrant, Mr Oluwaseyi Gabriel Ogundare from Ose Local Government Area but popularly known as OGO who also lives and works in the US is also jostling for the coveted elective office.. OGO has visited the 23 wards in the Federal Constituency recently to intimate PDP Executive Committee members and stakeholders of his political ambition.
Engr Owen Akinyemi Jnr too, a grassroots mobilizer , philanthropist, political tactician and strategist who also is in the diaspora has recently thrown himself into the political ring. This young potentials with much cosmopolitan experience being social magnate with friends everywhere has also lunched himself into limelight with his political aspiration. The battle shall be fierced as all the gladiators are very resourceful and capable only if they make reality their aspirations.
As it's,there are still few others warming up in the background.If the rumour making round is anything to go by ,it means that the present calmed political atmosphere in the Constituency shall be charged soon by this political gladiators as they lock horns through to the primary election in the PDP.
Signed
Akogun Niyi Folahanmi
Publicity Secretary,
PDP , Owo LG Chapter
