Hon. Omolafe Isaac Adedayo is the candidate of the PDP for Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections. He is a former Chairman, Akure South Local Government, ex- Chairman of SURE -P in the state and immediate past Chairman, OSDPC. In this Special Supplement, the politician spoke about the annual Oyemekun festival, his emergence as candidate of the PDP, among other sundry issues.
Excerpts:
How would you describe your emergence as candidate of the PDP in the recently conducted primary?
I consider it as the Lord’s doing. I’m not the best among the aspirants, but it pleases God to choose me and I will continue to thank him for this. My emergence did not come as a surprise to me because I have been on it for some years now. I was the candidate of the party in 2011 before the election was cancelled midway, and I was also the candidate of the party in 2015 before the governor then destabilised the whole process. So, my emergence did not come to me as a surprise because it is still the old people that are still in PDP. I thank God who allowed the primary to go that way without any crisis.
What was the initial reaction from other aspirants when you won the ticket?
I have to thank God and other co-contestants for this because all of them have been cooperating immediately after the primary election. All of us are talking and planning the general elections. No aggrieved person among the aspirants. No complaint, no crisis after the primary.
What are your chances of winning the forthcoming election in your federal constituency?
It is only God that knows my chances. But I’m sure that this next election is mine. I have suffered for this, I have waited for so long and God says the time has come for my success and God will do it.
How will you respond to the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of your party?
That is the best thing that can happen to our party now. He is all over Nigeria; he is all over the world. He is known, tested and trusted.
The Akure Oyemekun/Ulefunta Annual Festival is here again. As one of the prominent Akure sons, what are you planning to do differently this year to bring further development to Akure kingdom?
We have started doing something different from what it used to be in the past. This year’s Akure Oyemekun/Ulefunta Festival is a ceremony performed after the Deji’s Annual Leave of seven days. We only added Ulefunta festival for the fact that Akure Day that we used to mention does not add any tradition. Now we are changing things and I’m sure between now and the next celebration, a lot of progress and changes would have happened. This year’s festival is going to be a different one by God’s grace. For example now, there will be a discussion with the Deji called A Night with the Deji, this has not been happening before. During this period, all Akure sons and daughters will express their minds about happenings in the town and the Deji will respond to them appropriately.
Some eminent personalities have been penciled down for installation this Saturday as part of activities marking this year’s Akure Oyemekun/Ulefunta Festival. How would you assess them?
Well, I only know that of Prince Afolabi Obasuyi who will be installed the Agbaka of Alagbaka who happens to be my friend. He is a very good, responsible and easy going man. So, I want to congratulate him for this title and I wish him well.
How would you describe the reign of the Deji of Akure kingdom, HRM. Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo in the last few years?
It has been so wonderful. The Deji is an easy going person, very handsome Deji. He has a listening ear. He is so perfect.
