Veteran journalist, Chief Kayode Odunaro, on Sunday turned his wife’s 60th birthday celebration into a campaign platform for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi.
Odunaro, who was called upon to address guests at the colourful birthday ceremony organised in honour of his wife, Mrs. Susan Odunaro, briefly appreciated her sacrifices as an “absentee husband” due to the demands of his work, before switching to politics.
He described Senator Adeola as a man fighting to right a 50-year-old injustice in Ogun State and appealed to guests to support his governorship ambition, noting that the project started as far back as 2012.
The renowned journalist, who is the Chief of Staff to Senator Adeola, did not hide his support for the APC governorship hopeful. He openly canvassed for votes, raising his voice and chanting “Yayi Ni Joo, Yayi Ni Jare,” a slogan that was subsequently turned into an anthem by most of the guests.
Odunaro expressed optimism that his principal would win the 2027 governorship election with a landslide, stressing that Yayi is God’s chosen to lead Ogun State in the next political dispensation. He called on the electorate to come out en masse to vote for him.
He also urged eligible voters to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to prevent dubious politicians from hijacking them for selfish interests, insisting that Yayi remains the best choice to govern the state based on his performance as a Senator and his ITESIWAJU 9-Pillar agenda.
Earlier, the birthday celebration, which was also for his second son, Timilehin Odunaro, who clocked 21 and shares the same birth date with his mother, featured praise and worship, hymns, Bible reading, citation of the celebrants, testimonies, exhortation, and prayers for the celebrants and family.
The reception later moved to the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors Hall, Magbon, Abeokuta, where guests were treated to sumptuous meals and drinks, while old and new generation music rented the air.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Pastor Sam Adeniran, RCCG Assistant Pastor for CSR; Pastor Olufunbi Kuye of RCCG Kings Court Provincial Headquarters; Professor Joyce Ogwezi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebe University, Asaba; retired Professor Olulana of FUNAAB; Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, Director General, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON; Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, APC, Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency; Hon. Bukky Braimoh, former House of Representatives member; Hon. Tunde Tella, APC, Abeokuta North State Constituency; Alhaji Lawal Arolat and US-based Prince Sola Olabode.