By Musbau Rasak
All the political parties registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will start going to their internal polls this week. The week for internal democracy among the parties has commenced, it is the week for primary elections where the parties will pick their candidates for the various elections.
The race for the 2023 general elections is indeed gathering momentum. The weather is getting clearer day by day.
The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will hold its primary elections this week, leading to the national convention to pick the party’s Presidential flagbearer late this week and early next week, unless there is a change in plan.
The race for who represents Ojo Federal Constituency is on the high especially in the ruling APC. Ojo is strategic and very important because it is the home base of the party’s Chairman in Lagos State, Pastor Cornellius Oyefolu Ojelabi who had himself represented the Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives once: between 2007 and 2011.
As at close of screening, five aspirants have indicated their interest in running for the APC ticket to contest for the House of Representatives seat. They are: two-time Secretary of the party in the state and two-term state Lawmaker, Honourable Lanre Ogunyemi; former Chairman of Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Honourable Bolaji Roberts; former member of the state Assembly, Honourable Abayomi Sadiq; former state lawmaker and ex-Chairman of Iba LCDA, Mrs Ramota Oseni-Adeyemi; and Olawale Aganga-Williams.
The race for the APC ticket is tough, this is not unconnected with the fact that Tajudeen Obasa from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been representing the Constituency since 2015.
All the aforementioned aspirants are potential winners with relevant political pedigree and experience to back up their aspiration. However, one man stands out!
Micheal Olanrewaju Ogunyemi!
This Constituency has been well represented in the past at the Green Chamber. Pastor Ojelabi was arguably the most active, resourceful and people-oriented representative ever produced by the Constituency. Many still remember his sterling role in the committee that exposed the money wasted on power generation by the Obasanjo administration.
Former Chairman of Iba LCDA, Honourable Toyin Suarau was also a good representative of the Constituency.
The present occupant of the seat is also trying his best but the fact remains that the Progressives have always provided the people-oriented representation craved for by the people.
The Progressives need to get it right this time and in Micheal Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, a resourceful aspirant is unveiled.
Ogunyemi has it all: he is cerebral, humane, intelligent, oratory, soft-spoken, gentleman, gentle-mien, diligent, accommodating, loyal, committed to his beliefs and leaders and himself a leader of men.
Ogunyemi rose through the ranks and he has never wavered in his loyalty and commitment to his leaders and party ideals, even if it means making concession and compromise.
As a personal assistant to the late Apostle Solomon Ajibola Akin-Aina, he was excellent. When the young Lanre was elected the state Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy in 2001, many felt he was too young for the office but not only did he excelled, he also laid the foundation for effective and efficient office before he was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters to then Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro.
Let’s remind you all that Ogunyemi and present Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu both work as SAs to Otunba Pedro.
A committed and loyal disciple of his leaders, when political exgenices demanded that he leave his post as SA to Pedro, Lanre did not blink an eye before resigning his appointment.
In the first term of Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN as Governor of Lagos State, Ogunyemi was almost a certainty for the cabinet of the state. Another political exigency required that his name was omitted from the list, he took it with equanimity.
He was to go to the House of Representatives in 2011 but another political exigency required that he was given the ticket to represent the Ojo State Constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly. Today, I made bold to write that Ogunyemi remains the best Lawmaker that has represented Ojo in the state House of Assembly.
He was an active contributor to debates on the floor of the House. He participated fully in all House activities and was never found wanting in any task given to him. He was loyal and committed to the leadership of the House during his stay in the House.
His greatest contribution was midwiving the Yoruba Stakeholder Summit as Chairman of the House Committee on Education. This Summit, aimed at reviving the speaking, teaching and learning of Yoruba language was attended by prominent Yoruba monarchs among whom were: the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the late Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Lamidi Adeyemi; and the Eleko of Eko, His Royal Majesty Rilwan Akiolu.
That Summit led to the initiation and passing of the Yoruba Language Protection and Promotion Bill by the Lagos State House of Assembly. The Bill was signed into law by former Governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode and it is now compulsory for teaching and learning of Yoruba language in all Lagos schools from primary to tertiary levels.
On leaving the House, Ogunyemi was reelected Secretary of the APC in the state. Of all the aspirants in Ojo Federal Constituency, who else posseses these intimidating credentials?
Add all these to the ‘small’ matter that he is proven educationist, a teacher, hence, an efficient and effective manager of people.
Without sentiment, bias and not being accused of immodesty, the Ojo House of Representatives cap indeed fits the head of Micheal Olanrewaju Ogunyemi.
I rest my case!