A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State recently praised Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for being president at this time and thanked Nigerians for electing him.
Chief Ronald Olumuyiwa Ogunleye, a former representative from the Third Republic’s House of Representatives, made this claim.
Ogunleye characterised Tinubu as a staunch Democrat who they both worked together in 1992 at the National Assembly. Tinubu was a senator at the time.
The former Governorship candidate of the Democratic Party (DPN) in Ondo State said “The Tinubu I know is a just and fair person. He was in the Senate while I was in the House of Representatives at the 3rd Republic. Coincidentally we belonged to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) then. He is a very experienced politician, a democrat who believed in Equity, justice and fair play.”
The late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s deputy in the 1999 election for governor of Ondo State, Ogunleye, praised the selections made by President Tinubu thus far, calling them a step in the right direction. When the president has appointed all of his ministers and other Board members, he said, Nigeria would be fair and better.
Ogunleye, who served as an honorary advisor to the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the most recent presidential elections, said there is no need for concern because appointments are still being made even though no one from Ondo state has been chosen as of yet. “The President has merely appointed his aides and the Service Chiefs.”
Ogunleye said “There are still many appointments to be made. At the beginning of this Republic, during the regime of President Obasanjo, Ekiti got Special Adviser, and Ondo got Senior Special. Ekiti got full minister, Ondo also got full minister, while Ogun got minister of State. So, it’s too early to conclude that Ondo state has been excluded.”
He continues “Appointments made so far are being done gradually and on a need basis. Of course, Ondo state did well by voting for President Tinubu impressively in the last election. I’m sure the President believes in equity, justice and fair play.”
On what the absence of Governor Akeredolu in the state due to illness portends for the smooth running of the state, he said “I sympathise with our dear Governor at this time and I wish him quick recovery, I must state that governance is a continuum, as the Governor has constitutionally transmitted power to his Deputy and the state Legislative arm is functioning very well “