A medical doctor and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Dr. Gbenga Surajudeen Salawu, has indicated interest to represent Osun West senatorial ticket from the 2023 general elections.
Salawu, who is popularly called IweOkari and an indigene of Iwo, made this known in a statement personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Osun State.
According to the politician who practices orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics in Dublin, Ireland, “I want to represent Osun-West at the Senate because
I believe, and my people do too, that I have all the qualities required of a good representative and we don’t want our community denied of this advantage of adequate and proper representation.”
Speaking about his chances of clinching the ticket, especially as he is contesting against an incumbent who is his kinsman from the same party, IweOkari explained that “well, when it comes to the primary elections of our party, I’m sure you are aware that it could be by consensus, direct or indirect primary. So, I may or may not be contesting against my kinsman but I am definitely in the ring for the primaries whatever may be the modus operandi.
“As for the allusion to the performance of the incumbent senator or his acceptability by the people and the party, I won’t be dwelling on that but will rather concentrate on what I have to offer and what my people want, which has prompted me to decide to run.
“I am eminently qualified. I am widely accepted and well loved by the people for various reasons.
“I have been unflinchingly loyal to the party in spite of my past experience in the politics of the party. I am neither an impromptu nor opportunistic aspirant.
I am vastly experienced in management, diplomacy and organisational leadership.
I am well exposed internationally and above all, I am a responsible person.”
He also spoke about the chances of his party in the 2022 and 2023 elections. “I am happy you asked about the chances of APC winning in the general elections vis a vis the so called crisis. I am sure you are familiar with Osun and you know how His Excellency has been warmly and methodically running the affairs of the state, so effectively that has restored hopes and trust in the APC government. This much was acknowledged by the resounding victory at the last governorship primary election.
“As it stands now, I can assure you that a great number of the people in the minority faction have fallen in line with IleriOluwa. Many more are planning, scheming and begging to return into our fold. The teeming populace, civil servants and artisans alike, all singing IleriOluwa’s praises. We are cruising to victory in July by God’s grace and indeed at the general election in February next year. Regardless, we are not resting on our oars, we continue with mobilisation for Mr.Governor’s second term and for total victory at the poll next year.
“People should expect a senator that is dynamic and vibrant, one who is well focused on the primary duties of a senator to the country, with specific interest on whatever will benefit the people of Osun west senatorial district.
“They should expect an amiable person who is also responsible and will not become unapproachable or feel superior in anyway to his constituents.In short, people should expect IweOkari that they have always known and loved, now in action working for them.
Salawu, who runs IweOkari Community Support Initiative, a not-for-profit organization that caters for the needs of the people as much as possible especially in health and education, explained that “I’m always home with my people for the welfare programmes of the NGO and for politicking.”
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