D.I. Kekemeke: Ondo Experienced Politician @ 60

….”He is the Most Experienced Ondo Politician after Mimiko”

By: Ade Adeleke

A former governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Hon Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke, who is now the National Vice Chairman (South West) of the ruling party, is celebrating his 60th Birthday in sound health.

Specifically as political pathfinder, Kekemeke, the pioneer APC Ondo State Chairman; pioneer PDP State Secretary; former Secretary to the State Government, SSG; ex-Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; former Commissioner for Works; former member of the State House of Assembly; and pioneer Chairman of the National Examination Council, NECO, was singled out for running “the most mature and focused campaign with emphasis on his objective and agenda for the prosperity and peace of Ondo State.”

As the Life Patron of the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Hon Kekemeke has continued to contribute immensely to the growth of the union and its members as well as humanity in general. His contributions to Ondo NUJ are well-documented.

His political experience and sagacity entrenched peaceful atmosphere within the Southwest APC before, during and after the 2023 general election. Kekemeke will be filled with joy celebrating his 60th birthday, considering the fact that he led his party’s biggest leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from his zone to presidential electoral victory recently.

His name will be in the history book as one of those who led the battle to silent political “enemies” within and outside the zone and his party against Asiwaju’s ambition.

Before his emergence as the Southwest National Vice Chairman of his party, many people and key stakeholders such as Mr Governor.

APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, then opened the floodgate of plaudits in a programme on a private Television, saying: “Chief Kekemeke, in the last few weeks, has ran a very decent campaign across the State, and I just wish and hope that other aspirants will copy a lot from him.”

Again, a top loyalist of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and chieftain of the APC in Ondo State, Barrister Sola Ajisafe, had written on a WhatsApp post that: “D. I. Kekemeke. . . . has conducted a most robust issue based and reasonable (governorship election) campaign to earn my respect and that of the party. We note it as he remains a strong pillar of our party …”

Also, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, with whom Kekemeke stepped down for to pick APC ticket in order to run for his second term in office, had identified this and pointed it out as far back as 2017 in the days of Kekemeke as the State First Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure on 23rd February, 2017, the Governor said: “Apart from Governor Mimiko, my Chairman D. I. Kekemeke, is the most experienced politician in Ondo State.”

Besides, another public commentator said of Kekemeke: “This (calm & mature political style of D.I.) is commendable. It is only those who have nothing meaningful to offer who resort to attacking others, calling others names, blackmail, violence and all the dirty tricks that are common with politicians, not only in our Country Nigeria, but in virtually all the so called democracies.

“A decent human being would never resort to such condemn-able acts for whatever reasons. I am happy that you choose to be different. And that is what attracts you to me! I wish you more strength.”

On his own, a prominent politician in Ondo State, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, the then Chairman of Strategic Mobilisation and Communication Committee of LekeLeke Movement, Kekemeke’s political vehicle, said that he was not surprised, “Which of the (governorship) aspirants can boast of this kind of intimidating credentials?”

Ijabiyi added: “You can see that he has brought his outstanding wealth of experience in Law, politics, administration and human relation to bear on his campaign method and style.”

His words: “Instructive, no other aspirant has better recommendations, specific objectives or defined agenda for the peace and prosperity of Ondo State than those of Kekemeke.

“He is definitely different and has stood out from the crowd. The APC can’t give the State a better candidate. When you are the best, you are simply the best. In this election, Kekemeke is it.”

Following is an interview published by The Radiance on why he wanted to govern Ondo State. It was titled: titled “My Goal Is To Banish Poverty If Elected Ondo Governor – Kekemeke”

Although yet to be elected the Governor of Ondo State but Kekemeke has been giving maximum support to Governor Akeredolu’s administration to tackle various challenges facing the citizenry, while his maturity in handling party’s matters in Ondo State remains a reference point for all political class. Kekemeke is always available to support and guide the state leadership of the APC under Engr Ade Adetimehin whenever the need arises.

Despite the fact that he could not get the governorship ticket of the APC, Kekemeke also worked with other party’s hard to ensure Governor Akeredolu won his second term in 2020; no wonder that all the stakeholders compensated and rallied round Kekemeke to clinch the National Vice Chairman (Southwest zone) of the party during the last national convention and he served as the Deputy Southwest Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to deliver the zone for Asiwaju Tinubu.

With his loyalty, competence, cerebral as well as his closeness to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Akeredolu, it should not be too hard for the APC stakeholders in the state to push Kekemeke’s name for the much awaited Ministerial slot of the Sunshine state or any other key federal appointment.

Obviously, Ondo State needs home-based/home-grown politician like Hon D.I. Kekemeke to be representing the state at the federal level in order to remain relevant in the national politics and agenda.