By Ayodeji Allen 

This write-up is on three phenomenon – Idea/Experience, Sentiment and Interest 

*Interest*

I’m interested in Hon. Banji Okunomo ambition becoming the next Governor of Ondo State because he’s a vibrant, articulate, amiable, accessible, humble, credible, vibrant, detribalised, and well exposed personality.

Okunomo is a young man in his 40s yet very articulate, vocal, resourceful, and result oriented politician and a goal-getter.

I’m interested in Okunomo because he’s a grassroot politician that understands the nooks and crannies of  Ondo State. His activities in accomplishing political visions in various elections most especially the most recent election of the senator representing Ondo South, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo (SNT), where he brilliantly and successfully coordinated and delivered victory for the Senator as Director-General of his campaign during the PDP primary and general elections, has become a major score point showcasing him as a goal-getter. 

His unprecedented achievements during his reign as Ilaje Local Government Chairman increased my love for him.

– During his reign as council chairman, he constructed the hitherto abandoned Igbokoda Secretariat road with interlocking paving stone – a technology that is unprecedented in the history of the entire Ondo State

– He constructed the motor park at Igbokoda at the zero junction  in Igbokoda

– He constructed Civic Center at Ode-Etikan in Ilaje Local government. 

– Okunomo’s regime witnessed the most robust relationship between the government and the governed in terms of employment of over 350 unemployed youths in the services of the local government, empowerment of various kinds 

– Hon. Okunomo paid Local Government Bursary to students via the National Association of Ilaje Students and donate a car to boost the activities of the students union.

– Okunomo promptly assisted every local chapter of the National Association of Ilaje students with a yearly subvention of #50,000 to support the celebration of Ilaje students cultural day.

Unquestionably, Banji Okunomo is a phenomenon in the politics of Ilaje and Ondo State at large. His philanthropic zeal, is quite noticeable and has drawn a lot of admirers to him. Okunomo is a cheerful and unconditional giver which could be attested to by the needies.

Conclusively, one quality that prides Okunomo highest among other competitors for the 2020 Ondo governorship seat in his party , PDP, is the fact that the middle-age politician can effectively bridge the gap between the suspecting higher generation and the flexing lower generation of politicians using the efficacious instrument of his experiencial public  relation and his undaunted native intelligence.

*Idea/Experience*: 

Okunomo is a graduate of Pure and Applied Biochemistry with Second Class Upper Division from the Federal University of Technology, Akure , Ondo State in year 2001 and presently a first class student of Law.

He has 18 years post graduate experience, Okunomo has attained unprecedented feats in public service, politics and business. 

Okunomo was the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the entire Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) workforce in the Nine Oil Producing States in Nigeria between 2007-2010.

He was a Technical Adviser to the then Commissioner representing Ondo State on the governing board of NDDC.

Banji was appointed Chairman of oil-rich Ilaje Local Government in Ondo-State from 2011-2013.

He is at present the State Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State. 

*Sentiment*

It’s the natural turn of Ondo South to produce the next Governor of Ondo State. 

You may want to know why? 

Past Governors of Ondo State from inception 

Ondo North

Pa. Adekunle Ajasin – 4yrs (before modern day Democracy precisely 1979-1983)

Late Chief Adebayo Adefarati – 4yrs

Barr. Rotimi Akeredolu – 4yrs by extension till Feb 2020)

Ondo Central 

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (8yrs)

Ondo South

Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu – 6years

In the analysis above, Ondo North used 12years or better put 8years; Ondo Central used 8years while Ondo South used 6years. 

–  In the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, Ondo South did brilliantly well more than any other senatorial district, even more than the senatorial district that produced the last governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party. This was confirmed in the last election where PDP won the senatorial seat, two House of Representatives and lost the other one with less than 150votes. Little wonder, Ondo South is regarded as the home of PDP. 

Ayodeji Allen writes from Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State