Barely a week after the Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Engr. Dotun Sanusi decried pressures on him to contest the 2027 gubernatorial election, an Ibadan chief, Adesola Owolabi on Sunday said the businessman may rather be looking in the direction of other possible gubernatorial hopefuls.
Owolabi said he didn’t have the authority of Dotun Sanusi to speak to the press but nevertheless wish the businessman had considered the option himself but if he feels otherwise, there are other great citizens of the State that he could support to occupy the seat.
According to Owolabi, “Chief Dotun Sanusi is well positioned for the job because of his welfarism and philosophic activities which have earned him accolades from far and near.
“Without taking government’s appointment, he has touched lives of millions of our people positively even beyond the shore of Ibadan and Oyo State in general.
“He has assisted many communities and individuals to change their narratives and he is not looking back. And the people who Sanusi said are pressuring him, might have been doing so because they feel if he becomes the governor, he would turn the state of affairs around for better service delivery and greater good of the citizenry.
“Should he decides to become the Governor as people are increasingly interested in him, he could become one. But if for reasons he adduced he didn’t want to go for the contest, a number of other citizens across the State could be considered by him for support.
“Remember he gave similar supports to the incumbent Governor during his first and second term electoral campaigns. Though he was more involved in the recent re-election of the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Yonubu as a major stakeholder in the State.
“I wish to suggest the following names to the billionaire businessman should he feels obliged to support another candidate for the contest in 2027.
“The likely names of potential gubernatorial candidates include but not limited to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Raji from Oke Ogun area of the State; a Senator representing Oyo North, Alhaji Fatai Buhari from Ogbomoso or an Ibadan-born Oyo South Senator Sharafadeen Alli and a former Senator and close ally of the incumbent, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
“And if it is about the younger Turks in politics, Dotun Sanusi may go for the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji (also from Ogbomosoland) or the incumbent Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin,” Owolabi hinted.
He however was quick to add that Dotun Sanusi would be doing the State a great service if he could reconsider his stand, but if on the contrary, any of the aforementioned people could be supported to be the next occupant of the Agodi Government House.
