Gboyega Isiaka, third left, with the traditional rulers

Adejoke Adeleye, Abeokuta

Since its the turn of the Yewa-Awori to take up the mantle of governance in Ogun State,the traditional rulers in Ogun West has took turns to endorsed a third time contestant,Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) to represent the Senatorial districts part of Ogun State in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

The monarch declared that Isiaka who is contesting under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains the “perfect candidate” to actualise the age-long aspiration of Ogun West senatorial district to produce governor for the first time since creation of the state.

The traditional rulers gave the endorsement at a meeting of the Yewa Traditional Council held in Ilaro, where the ADC governorship candidate was formally presented.

The meeting, was presided over by the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle,and attended by traditional rulers from the five local government areas in the senatorial district.

According to them, Isiaka emerged as the consensus candidate of the senatorial district by divine intervention.

The monarchs said the people of Ogun West eyes has openedand now wiser and ready to speak with their votes in 2019.

The rulers expressed optimism that a governor of Yewa-Awori extraction will address the marginalisation and neglect of the area in terms of development over the years.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, Oba Olugbenle said the people are ready to entrust their future in the hands of a competent and capable candidate.

The paramount ruler noted that Isiaka’s political journey in the state had been divinely arranged, adding that God was involved in his current efforts.

“Your journey is one that God has blessed. God has done His own to ensure your acceptability; the people must also do their part. The people of Yewa-Awori will be happy to have their own as the next governor,” he assured

Earlier in his address, Isiaka said he was at the meeting to formally notify the monarchs of his desire to contest for the governor seat for the third time and solicit their cooperation and support.

He noted that having emerged third and second in previous gubernatorial elections in the state, he was confident of victory as the next governorship in 2019.

He said, “As governor of Ogun State, I will make you proud. We believe that Ogun State has a lot of potential and we are determined to bring all of this together and harness them. We shall run a good government.

“When we started this process, we heard what some people were saying about our decision. Some people would even say where will I get the money to contest? But I want to assure you that this time around, it is God’s project and He will put us there. Therefore, I need your prayers and support.”

Isiaka promised to focus on education, health, human capital and infrastructural development if elected as governor next year.

The candidate was accompanied by the ADC state chairman, Dr Gbolade Osinowo, Director-General of his campaign, Engr Tony Ojeshina, renowned historian, Prof Anthony Asiwaju, and several party chieftains from the state’s three senatorial districts.