Ogun 2023: OWGA rallies support for ADC governorship candidate, Otegbeye
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
A socio-political group, Ogun West Grassroots Alliance (OWGA) has rallied support for the Ogun State governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Barr. Biyi Otegbeye describing him as an illustrious indigene of Yewa/Awori in Ogun West Senatorial district who has all it takes to offer the residents of the state a fresh breath of good governance.
The group which served as platform for political conscious indigenes of Yewa/Awori described Barrister Biyi Otegbeye as a unifier, a consummate politician and administrator par excellence who represents the interest of the region and should be supported by all to realise the long dream of Ogun West to produce the governor of the state for the very first time.
The group which gave its endorsement for the governorship ambition of the ADC candidate under the umbrella of Ogun West Grassroots Alliance (OWGA) said Ogun West deserves a better deal than what is getting at the moment.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday, the Convener, OWGA, Bolaji Adeniji disclosed that despite the subterfuge and machinations of some people to deny the region of another opportunity to produce the state governor from the Yewa extraction, the candidature of ADC governorship candidate is a good choice for the people of the state ahead of 2023 elections.
Adeniji noted that, Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, popularly known as “BOT” has an irrefutable historical and family pedigree, sterling educational attainments, enviable professional achievements, and a shining career in the private sector spanning several decades with good records as footnotes.
According to him, BOT comes with untainted character, unblemished integrity
and politically experienced with a rich network having previously contested for the House of Representatives and Senate seats in previous elections.
He said, “we have taken cognizance of the tepid efforts but showy claims of the current administration with regards to its attempt to pursue equity and fairness in the distribution of governance offering to the constituent parts of the state; but a sincere inquest indicates that those posturing are largely flaunted and brimming with yawning gaps. Without equivocation, Ogun West deserves a better deal than it is getting at this time.
He went further, “The group has equally observed attempt to harass Ogun West out of genuine gubernatorial contestation in 2023; and unjustifiably so. It is preposterous that this plot is being pushed by some of our people in the district, ostensibly in pursuit of their own self-seeking understanding of what constitutes the best time for Ogun West to produce the Governor. In their clearly erroneous claims, we should jettison the current electoral cycle and wait four more years before venturing again.”
The group said it was however happy to announce failure of all attempt to make indigene of Ogun West not to be in 2023 Ogun governorship race with the enlistment of Barr. Otegbeye by INEC as the ADC governorship candidate for the state.
“The principles of participatory democracy is for the people to have competitive choices to expend their electoral license on and choose a leader who will utilize that given sovereign power to enhance the welfare of the citizenry and create opportunities for them to achieve their potential as apeople under God.
“Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, popularly known as ‘BOT’ in the political field comes with an irrefutable historical and family pedigree, sterling educational attainments, enviable professional achievements, and a shining career in the private sector spanning several decades with good records as footnotes.
“We are also satisfied that though BOT is contesting as a candidate of Yewa-Awori extraction, but he is a pan-Ogun State emancipator and unifier with a weight of responsibility to come and offer credible leadership alternative to the status quo through his suite of programmes that has been dubbed ‘Building Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow’ for all citizens of the state, those that are alive today and the future generation,” the group explained.
Speaking on the endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s second term ambition by Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Obalalenge, and some Awori Obas, Adeniji submitted that, the endorsement was in order, saying the king’s order does not reflect on the franchise of the people.
“We respect the elders, there is never a time that you will not have people rising within the ranks to take up responsibility for issues affecting them.
“No one has a monopoly of representation to speak for the generality of the people of Ogun West. We are equal stakeholders to speak on the interest of Ogun West, but on age, they are our elders and we respect that.
“Our traditional rulers are custodians of our culture, they are fathers of all. No candidate goes to visit the monarchs that have not gotten the blessings of royal fathers, the endorsement given to Dapo is in order, but the order of a king does not reflect on the franchise of the people.
“I can assure you that, they are warm and comforting communication ongoing with the traditional institution in Yewa/Awori land. Otegbeye’s name on the INEC list released yesterday has changed the dynamics of our political thinking cap and elicited joy across Ogun West land.
“We want to call on our peoples to rise in 2023 and vote for their son, the only governorship candidate from Ogun West, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye. We cannot wait for another 4 years. Ogun West has a unifier in Biyi Otegbeye,” Adeniji declared.
