Ondo 2024: Soji Ehinlanwo, a change Agent with Midas touch

By: Soji Ikotun



The Sunshine State has been embroiled in series of political crisis that has created huge vacuum in governance; these turmoils have drastically threatened the stability of the State and have deprived the good citizens dividends of democracy due to intrusion into governance by non-state actors in Ondo politics.

These detestable lacunas must not plague Ondo anymore, a Yoruba adage says, “where two elephants fight, the grass suffers most”. Political stalwarts and analysts in and outside the State will agree that Ondo deserves best. In the history of the Southwestern region, Ondo State plays a big brother role, let alone within its topographical entity.

Concern about the deplorable state of affairs in the State, and due to his age long enthusiasm for the wellbeing of indigents of Ondo State and the residents, Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo is obeying the clarion call, by aspiring to become the elected governor of the State, in the November 2024 governorship election under the flagship of All Progressive Congress, APC. The aim is to extricate Ondo State from the present quagmires.

A thorough bred politician per excellent, Ehinlanwo, has a belief, that ideas grow better when transplanted into other like-minds than where they sprang up, saying he has a better experience because he has been standing on the shoulders of giants within Ondo State, Nigeria and across the globe.

In Henry Ford’s word, “coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success,” to Ehinlanwo, his philosophy stands doggedly on the long history of humankind that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed in life endeavours.

Ask, what is Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo (DSE), coming to do differently in 2024 as the governor of Ondo State, having contested in previous election as the candidate of the Defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, one of the parties that fused into the APC, he affirmed that Ondo being the Sunshine State, must retake its rightful place in the ‘comity of States’ across Nigeria.

The APC leading gubernatorial aspirant in Ondo State, Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo added that he decided to join the race because the Almighty God has ordained him to steer the wheel of progress of the State at this phase. Saying as an indigene of the State, he heeded the call to serve Ondo state with his experience, exposure and passion for infrastructural and economic growth. “The call and request of my elders, supporters spread all over Ondo State to come forward and redirect the ship of Ondo State to the shores of prosperity. I consider it an honour, and a rare privilege to have been invited by well-meaning Ondo State youths, elders, women, and other stakeholders to be part of the process of effecting the desired change in the state.”

Reacting to questions during a media session in Akure, Ondo State capital, Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo vividly highlighted areas of concentration, which his administration will prioritize if elected in the November 2024 gubernatorial election to include, issues of security, agriculture, housing, education, health and environment, employment as well as transportation. His words; “I will make Ondo State a state that is commercially viable via mechanized agriculture. Our people must be encouraged and supported to return to farming while my administration will champion the Agricultural remigration. In achieving our goals in agriculture development, we will complete the value chain to our endowed Oil Palm and Cocoa Plantations, Forestry and other valuable cash crops. This will create jobs for our young graduates. Investment in medium scale businesses will change the narratives that Ondo State is a Civil Service State. I will wholeheartedly support entrepreneurship among the youths because that is the surest way to creating enduring wealth. We are pose to turn Ondo state into a veritable industrial haven.

“We are bringing new innovative and creative ideas through the provision of quality education, healthcare, and gainful employment for our teeming youths, women and elders in our communities. Security will also take centre stage; we will create an enabling environment through the deployment of modern technology for the security of lives and property. In Ondo State under my watch, all security agencies and apparatus will be fully deployed to make every nooks and crannies of the State safe. Intelligent gathering will also play prominent role as all hands will be on deck to ensure total safety of lives and property.

“I am very certain that all our promises are achievable, our mandate is to make Ondo State flourish again. My administration would be guided by technology-driven approach to governance, equity and inclusiveness, quality representation, respect for rule of law, and social welfare to cushion the effects of economic meltdown.” Dr. Ehinlanwo assured.

On education, Ehinlanwo said that any government that neglect investment in educating its younger generation will perish, he promised to take education very seriously, adding that out-of-school children will be off the streets and will be enrolled in school. He assured that infrastructural renewal and upgrades in public schools, shortage of school teachers will be addressed alongside. On healthcare, the governorship hopeful decried how patients roamed about premises of general hospitals because of lack of hospital beds, saying adequate infrastructure would be provided, his administration would embark on automation of health facilities, adding health insurance will be made compulsory and available to the less-privileged and vulnerable for free, to improve access and affordability.
In pursuing regional economic integration, the governorship aspirant assured that Ondo State will be in the mainstream of the South Western Region economy. He pointed out that the Coastal resources of the State will play significant role through good use of the coastal line since the Ondo State has the longest in the country, stretching from the riverine areas in the Ijaw/Arogbo/Igbokoda communities and delving into the Atlantic Ocean. Our people can easily commute to and from Lagos using ferries and speed boats. Another area we will explore is the construction of inter-state carriage roads that will easily link Ondo State with the neighbouring states of Ekiti, Osun, Oyo and Ogun States, these efforts, will boost economy vibrancy of Ondo State.

What stands Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo (DSE) out among other contestants are, he has the advantage of being one of the longest, loyal party man, his consistency knows no bound. He has been an active participant in the politics of Nigeria, culminating in his nomination as the Governorship Candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the three parties that merged to form the All Progressive Congress, APC in the Ondo state 2012 election. He challenged the results of that election at the Tribunal and Court of Appeal. Soji also led the Ondo state CPC in the Ondo APC merger crystallization. He helped to rally several Ondo state indigenes, providing leadership in helping to ensure re-endorsement by the People for the Government led by the former Governor, Late Rotimi Akeredolu. He also led alongside others in campaigning vigorously to ensure the election of a new progressive government for Ekiti State under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

Soji Ehinlanwo is also the Grand Patron of the C&S Movement Church, Igbokoda Branch. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, philanthropic disposition, community/social development efforts, Dr Soji Ehinlanwo was conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Ogwagbeminuyi of Owo Kingdom by his Imperial Majesty -Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye 111, the Olowo of Owo land.

Commenting on franchising the economy of Ondo State for selfish gain, Ehinlanwo if elected promised that the people will experience significant positive changes that will directly impact their lives. Electorates will see an accessible and listening governor. Ondo State will remain first in all the policies and programmes of government. “With my extensive support base and wide acceptance across the State, I appeal to our party leaders, members of the ruling APC, and the electorates that their votes should be the game changer to usher in a new era of peace, security, prosperity and development in Ondo State. It is time for the sun to shine brighter on the good people of our dear State. The dividends of democracy will not come down from heaven but our decision to sacrifice for better tomorrow will guarantee the much anticipated better life. The people of Ondo State are not beggars; they are hardworking, industrious, and honest. They deserve a better deal. That is the Audacity of Faith, we must admit that, “Ondo ti Soji”.