Exclusive: Gov. Aiyedatiwa Promoted Me, Chose Me as His Preferred Candidate — D.I. Kekemeke
By Olusegun HOSEA, Akure
28th June, 2026
National Vice Chairman (South West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s Ondo South Senatorial candidate, Hon. Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke, in an interactive session with journalists in Akure, expressed confidence that he would champion strong advocacy for the development of the senatorial district if elected to the Red Chamber.
His introductory remarks remain the same until he concluded his opening statement and later responded to questions accordingly from different angles of the interactive session. The except:
Qs: How did you emerge as the APC senatorial candidate without any controversy? Many aspirants had their candidacies challenged or altered, but yours remained intact. Was it because of your political connections at the state and national levels? What is the secret behind your success?
Responding, Kekemeke said:
”Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is my promoter. He endorsed me and chose me as his preferred candidate. The people of Ondo South accepted me, my colleagues in the National Working Committee supported me, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured it. That is the story.”
He expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa, President Tinubu, the people of Ondo South and members of the APC National Working Committee for their support.
Qs: There are concerns that both the APC Senatorial candidate and the House of Representatives candidate for Ilaje/Ese-Odo are from the same ward. Some people believe this is unfair. What is your reaction?
Kekemeke admitted that it may appear unfair but maintained that “sometimes life itself is not fair.”
Qs : What legislative measures do you intend to sponsor to tackle the ecological challenges facing Ondo South, particularly coastal erosion, flooding and environmental degradation?
He said the issues require proper technical understanding rather than hurried legislative proposals.
According to him, the recurring environmental problems, including coastal erosion, flooding, lack of potable water and poor electricity supply, require expert assessment and practical solutions.
He added that he would consult experts and work towards practical, sustainable and permanent solutions to the challenges affecting the district.
Qs: What are your plans for the youths of Ondo South so they can access opportunities without leaving the senatorial district?
Kekemeke said his priority is to create opportunities that will enable young people to build meaningful and prosperous lives within Ondo South.
He said he would attract industries, federal agencies and investments into the district while promoting medium and small-scale enterprises.
Rather than distributing motorcycles and other empowerment items, he said he would focus on sustainable programmes that create lasting employment and wealth.
He also pledged support for farmers through stronger farming associations and improved access to resources that would boost agricultural productivity.
Qs: Given your experience and credentials, is there any possibility that you may contest for the governorship after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s tenure?
Kekemeke dismissed the suggestion as highly speculative.
He insisted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has only spent one year of his four-year mandate and deserves the support of party members rather than distractions.
He argued that anyone claiming to be promoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by attacking Governor Aiyedatiwa was doing a disservice to both the APC and the President.
He stressed that internal disagreements should never translate into public attacks on party leaders, recalling that despite his disagreements with the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, he never publicly undermined him.
Qs: The APC primaries have left some members dissatisfied. How do you intend to unite party members and galvanize support ahead of the general election?
Kekemeke described the post-primary disagreements as a natural consequence of any democratic contest.
He expressed confidence that with sufficient time before the general election, the APC leadership at both the state and national levels would reconcile aggrieved members and unite the party for victory at the polls.
