-says Oke having Igbo wife is not a problem
Embarks on meeting stakeholders across Yorubaland for Oke
By Samuel Ogunsona
A lawyer and former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), commissioner who represented Ondo state, Dr. Benson Enikomehin has said that Chief Olusola Oke is the best candidate to lead Ondo State in the next gubernatorial election.
He said the people of the state, civil society and Pan Yoruba groups are solidly behind Oke as the candidate that can ensure the victory of All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the April poll
Enikomehin said he has embarked on mass mobilisation of stakeholders across Yorubaland to ensure Oke emerges as the next Governor of Ondo State.
He said Oke having Igbo wife is not a disadvantage.
He has thrown his weight behind Chief Oke ahead of All Progressive Congress (APC) Ondo sate primaries.
The election would be by direct primary and has been scheduled to hold on April 20.
In a press briefing attended by several journalists and civil society groups on Thursday, he emphasized that Chief Olusola Oke is the most qualified aspirant of all the people contesting in the election.
He described Chief Olusola Oke as a man who is humble, caring, tolerant and urged APC members to support his candidacy whom he claimed to be more experienced and a good man for the job.
Dr. Benson said that all of the aspirants are qualified and have what it takes in both the APC and PDP but If he was to contest with Olusola Oke, he would humbly step down for him because has sold himself well to the people.
“Unfortunately I am not contesting. If I was contesting, I would have stepped down for him. We are talking about someone who had sold well himself to the people, who has the temerity and good credibility.
“Of all the aspirants, Olusola Oke is the only one who is not holding any government office. He is financing his projects well. Every other person has to fall back on the resources of the state to be able to do it” he said.
Dr. Benson also noted that Chief Olusola Oke who had used his position at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to contribute to the development of Ondo state had earlier informed both late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his then Deputy Governor who is now the incumbent Governor of the state, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, that he would be contesting in the next governorship election.
He said, “ “He used his position at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to contribute to the development of the state and this is the time to allow him to rule our dear state and move it forward.
A year before Akeredolu died, Oke met him in Ibadan and told him he would be contesting. Oke returned to Akure to inform Aiyedatiwa who was then the deputy governor and told him he would be contesting and the deputy governor never told him about his ambition that day.
“Ondo people need to get it right. If we are to select who governs us, we need to look at the credibility, how reliable, and how their integrity stands. We need to look at their educational qualifications and how acceptable they are in the state” he explained.
Dr. Benson who was asked about Chief Oke’s chances of securing the APC ticket giving the Igbo background of his wife said there is no law that forbids a man in Nigeria from having a wife from other ethnicity.
He explained, “I have known Chief Oke for a period close to 35 years. He is married to his first wife, Aunty Daisi, who is also from Ilaje. Aunty Daisi holds a PHD from University of Ibadan, a retired principal in Ondo state. Four of the children she has for Chief Oke, two are medical doctors and consultants, one is an engineer and the last one is a lawyer. He has a second wife Nkem by name, there is no law that forbids a man in Nigeria, for those that are Muslims, no law that forbids a man in Nigeria from marrying more than one wife.
“If he is able to manage his wives well, he will definitely manage the state” he said