MONARCHS, OTHERS GRILL OGUN GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS

The desire of the Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the governor in 2011 seems to be receiving attention on all fronts as the Olota of Ota, Oba Alani Oyede, on Wednesday, led 11 other leaders of the zone in screening 11 of the governorship aspirants from the zone in Ota for several hours.

THE PUNCH had exclusively reported in April that the monarchs and some elders in the zone had been slated to screen the governorship aspirants, contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

A source in the palace informed our correspondent that the screening took off at 11am on Wednesday at the Olota's palace, Ota, with all the 11 aspirants, who had already obtained and submitted their forms of intention to the party.

It was learnt that the Olota, who was supported by the Olu of Imasayi, Dr. Adesola Oni; the Olu of Ipokia, Oba Raufu Adeole, among other leaders from the zone, informed the aspirants that the mission of the screening committee was to ensure that the best candidate from the zone emerged.

A chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy, Dr. Ayinde Ibikunle, who was among the leaders of the zone on the screening panel, was, however, absent at the Wednesday screening exercise.

Among the 11 aspirants, who attended the screening were Senator Kola Bajomo, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega, Mr. Tunde Soyemi, Evang. Titus Eweje, Mr. Durotolu Bankole, and Mr. Kola Lawal.

'The Olota has to make the clarification as some people have started complaining on the participation of the traditional rulers and people from other parties in the process. The process involves everybody and the desire is to ensure that the best candidate emerges to represent the zone. It is a chance that we must not throw away again. We have credible aspirants and we don't want to create any confusion this time around,' the source, who craved anonymity, said.

One of the aspirants, who had already been screened, told our correspondent that the grilling session featured simple questions, which the panel felt were necessary to be sure that the aspirants knew the purpose of governance.

'Nothing much; they asked what programmes we have; how we intend to finance our campaign; the major highlights of our manifestoes; our experiences; our professions and our current undertakings,' said the aspirant, who would not want to be named.

It was learnt that though the monarchs and the elders of the zone would not have the final say on who emerges among the aspirants, they would, however, recommend the three aspirants whom they feel are the most suitable from the zone to the Senatorial District of the state PDP.