Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and his wife, Dolapo, on Friday arrived in Ikenne, Ogun State for Saturday’s governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the country.
Prof. Osinbajo and his wife will be voting at the Polling Unit 14, Egunrege in the Ikenne Local Government Area(LGA).
Ikenne is Vice President Osinbajo’s home town. Ogun State is one of the 28 states where governorship elections will hold on Saturday.
Significant Town
Ikenne, which is also the headquarters of the Ikenne LGA, is a significant town in Nigeria’s history as it has produced many important figures in Nigeria’s political and social spheres.
The late Premier of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo hailed from Ikenne. Awolowo was the grandfather of the wife of the vice president.
Among other notable Nigerians from Ikenne was the late Dr Tai Solarin, who with his wife, Sheila, founded the famous Mayflower School, Ikenne.
Ikenne is also noted as the centre of political meetings, the centre for the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, the Yoruba social cultural group Afenifere currently a city for higher education and medical services through the Babcock University and its fast-growing University teaching hospital.
Lately, Ikenne is home to an agro-airport, newly inaugurated by the Vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo
Political Awareness
Although Ikenne is a quiet town, its people show a high level of political awareness. This could be attributed to the contributions of the late Chief Awolowo in the education and political development of the town and its people.
A political leader in the town, Akinyemi Akinsanya, who spoke to Voice of Nigeria on the preparations for Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, said the people there are ready for the elections.
“From observations, just like we did the other time, we are prepared and fully ready to cast our votes, hoping that the INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) officials will come early.
“We have promised ourselves that we must do our duty, exercise our rights as in voting for our choice candidates.”
Mr. Akinsanya said he would want Nigeria to continue on the path of democracy as it would ensure greater development of the country.
“Considering the 24 years Nigeria has been in democracy, we can also go back to the era of the Awolowos and others.
“If you are talking about politics and anything, there is no way you can talk about politics in the South West without reckoning with Ikenne. You might not mention Ikenne, but once mention Awolowo, you know that are definitely referring to Ikenne and you know that Awolowo goes with the Action Group.
“Basically we have really benefited a lot from this democracy because our past and present governors have done well.
“They have done well for us and we are happy that democracy has actually come to stay in Nigeria, especially in our town, Ikenne.”
Vote Wisely
Akinsanya advised those who will be voting in Saturday’s election against casting their votes for what he described as “Indomie Voting.”
According to him, those who will allow themselves to be influenced by gifts from politicians will be doing a great disservice to themselves and their community.
He also wants the incoming government in Nigeria to do more in security.
“If you actually look at the manifestos of the candidates campaigning in this election, it has been the same thing right from the days of Awolowo.
“They keep saying the same thing, they will provide water; they will provide electricity; nobody is actually looking at security, which is the main issue now.
“But I hope with the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president-elect, he would do something because he has in his manifesto said how he is going to tackle insecurity in the country and with that there is going to be improvement in security and safety.”
Mr. Akinsanya also expressed hope that the incoming administrations at the national and sub-national levels would do more in the development of education, health and power sectors.
