By Oludamisi Ojo,Akure.
A former Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Togo, Barrister Olusola Iji has promised to use his global connections to facilitate development projects to Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State.

Iji, who is eyeing a seat at the upper chamber said he would also use his experience as a former State Party Chairman for many years, to help rebuild the party in the District.

He spoke while unveiling his plans at a meeting he held with the chairmen of the six Local Government Areas of Ilaje, Ese Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, and Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, which constitute the District.

The Director-General of the Ambassador Sola Iji Campaign Organisation, ASICO, Onibudo Wole Iroaye all the chairmen in the South District were present, with the exception of Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, who was said to be indisposed.

Iji through Iroaye said: “If Justice is to be served if equity is to be served if fairness is to be served, it is well justified that it is the turn of Ese Odo to go for the Senate.

He said the party chairmen were in the position to work and ensure that he is elected into the Senate, saying chairmen are so important in getting the mandate of the people of the District.

Iji said formally informed the chairmen of his interest in going to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Acknowledging the strategic role Local Government Party Chairmen play in deciding who represents the District in the Senate, he urged the chairmen to decide based on values rather than money or going for the highest bidder.

His words: “I challenge you as fathers and leaders of our party in your respective Local Government Areas, and as custodians of the finest values of our party, that the race for the Senate seat should not be about money or the highest bidder. It is about values.

He, therefore, solicited their support to clinch the ticket of our party, stressing that they are going to win together and sustain the structure of the party.

Iji appreciated the party chairmen for coming to the meeting, noting that they occupy an important position in the administration of the party.

The Chairmen at the meeting unanimously agreed that the Ambassador is eminently qualified for the position, describing him as a grassroots politician who has led the party as State Chairman for seven years.

They also recalled that he has been building the party from the AD days until now the APC; and that he has not for once run away from the party despite various challenges.

Their words” Iji deserves the ticket and his being in the Senate will alleviate the suffering of party members and even for somebody to be given an ambassadorial position, the Federal Government must have seen that person as responsible and a man of unquestionable integrity.

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” We note that it is only his Local Government, Ese Odo, that has never had a taste of that position of Senator in the District, and therefore believed that the seat should be conceded to that place this time around.

Earlier in his welcome address, Iroaye had appreciated the Chairmen for attending the meeting, which he described as significant in many respects.

According to him, the meeting would afford them the opportunity to “hear directly from His Excellency, the Ambassador, about his intent to contest the Southern Senatorial Election that will come up in 2023.”
Besides, he said that the forum would enable them to learn from Iji directly the reasons behind his ambition.