“I won the heart of Ogun Central and the Nation through hardwork and achievable determination for Greater Nigeria.” – 2023 Ogun Central APC Senatorial Aspirant, Princess Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru
Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru, an energetic and cerebral aspirant who had plans to take over the Ogun Central Senatorial Seat from incumbent Ibikunle Amosun by 2023, narrated to pressmen, the outcome of the election and what’s next.
The young mother-of-two with 20 years of global multi-industry and political work experience, ran for the position in a manner that Nigerians were proud of. Her Senatorial vision and policies manifesto was results-driven and openly detailed on her Senatorial website, Olatorera.com. She carried the public along on her consultations and engagements across the 74 wards of the 6 Local Government Areas of Ogun Central. She submitted all certificates and forms to the APC National Sectariat and was successfully screened and cleared to contest in the primaries election. She was one of the most visible Senate aspirants under the APC party. She pledged to be a strong voice for the majority of Nigerian citizens in enacting progressive laws, alleviating poverty and ensuring a fairer standard of living. She also pledged to be a resolute advocate for Justice, Humanistic Leadership, Africa’s Unity and Africa’s Continental Free Trade.
The APC Ogun Central Senatorial Primaries were set for Saturday May 28th, 2022. When asked how the Primaries went, Majekodunmi-Oniru said “I was not raised to lie, steal or deceive. I was not raised to extort. I was not raised to be wicked and corrupt. I was raised to be a leader. A honest, progressive, hardworking, smart, humble and humanistic leader. A leader who won’t eat if my people haven’t eaten. A leader who would support and advocate only the best, most capable candidates. A leader for all. I don’t have a godfather. I ran an ethical campaign. Thus I can and will be honest.”
“I want to start out thanking all my supporters. I want to thank every Nigerian. Many, many, many people reached out to me and our O.M.O for Senate support groups. Many supported us publicly and privately. I’m thanking everyone so much for the encouraging support. I will never stop pushing my dreams for Greater Nigeria. I will mobilize even greater, unstoppable support starting now towards 2027.”
“On the morning of the Ogun Central APC Senatorial Primaries, it was obvious to all that I had won the heart of the district as hundreds of party members and leaders trooped into my home. Many slept over the night before, refusing to leave my side, I was the candidate most prepared to represent them in Senate. The mood was progressive excitement. I received a call at 7am from a few party leaders who said they had one worry which was that the governor had called a meeting with all Ogun Central Party Leaders for 9am. I started receiving more calls around 11am towards the conclusion of the meeting. Many said they had been instructed by the governor to vote his chief of staff and that there would be no elections but a consensus. Many felt bad knowing how heavily passionate and hardworking I had been in my run to represent the district.”
“To cut a long story short, without any election results, state party chairman said to me “take heart”. And random results were read in mid-afternoon at the Centennial Hall, Ake, Abeokuta: chief of staff Salisu 301 votes. Princess Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru 2 votes and Senator Obadara 2 votes. I was later informed that the 2 votes tie with Obadara was an intentional attempt to pre-complicate any appeal process that may emerge.”
“In closing, I’m told I should appreciate the governor for an unfree and unfair primaries and make him feel good so as to get an appointment. I have no iota of fakeness in my veins. What I’m being told to do is the backbone of Nigeria’s problems. We cajole, hail and fail to criticise those who do abominable acts simply because they are title holders in Government. Title holders are servants to the people and not Lords. Until we change our mindset and actions towards governance, we remain regressed. I would become a bad leader if I start doing things the unethical, status-quo way and that may subtract God’s blessing for me.
“I’m not in politics for personal enrichment. I want to bring about mass enrichment that would benefit every citizen. I offered that they take all my salary and simply let me work for the Greater progress of our people as I know the magnitude of financial growth the country can witness once we have the right leaders serving. I won’t dance and praise any unethical man or woman misusing public wealth or power. If we can’t achieve Greater Nigeria today, we will achieve it someday.
“My biggest lesson in winning the APC Ogun Central Senatorial Primaries but not getting the ticket, is this: Nigeria has a long way to go in converting our governance structure into one of progressive, ethical and humanistic Leadership. We can attain some progress from 2023 if we urgently establish a suitability report for every aspirant from Presidential level to Local Executives. How well do our aspirants score in terms of previous achievements, health, humanistic leadership capabilities, ethics, educational strength and global standing. This is evaluated not by what they say but through a thorough background check.
“In my suitability report, many of our political aspirants today are unqualified to lead. I pray the masses learn, follow and support the very few genuine and capable aspirants. I’m not an activist, I’m in no way anti government or anti anybody. I love every Nigerian including our current Governor. I am simply anti regression, anti stagnation, anti slavery, anti suffering, anti poverty and anti third world Nigeria. I am wholeheartedly for Nigeria’s progress and development. All I want, all I will ever want, all I am working for, is Greater Nigeria. Nigerians deserve better. God bless Nigeria.”
