OLD WINE, NEW MANDATE: KEKEMEKE PROMISES PEOPLE-CENTRED REPRESENTATION FOR ONDO SOUTH
For Hon. Barr. D.I. Kekemeke, the APC Senatorial candidate for Ondo South in the 2027 general election, the job of a Senator is not about making promises he cannot keep. It is about advocacy, access, and results.
In a wide-ranging interview in his office in Akure with the members of the Association of Independent Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria led by the President, Olaseeni Oyesusi, Kekemeke said his primary responsibility will be to identify the challenges confronting Ondo South and use his position in the National Assembly to push for lasting solutions.
“My role is advocacy. I will be a strong voice for the people of Ondo South Senatorial District. I will also be a voice for Ondo State, working closely with my colleagues in the National Assembly while supporting the Governor and the Government of Ondo State in advancing the state’s interests at the federal level. That is the core responsibility I seek to fulfill,” he said.
He was clear that representation is not a privilege for personal gain. “By the grace of God, I do not see representation as a privilege or an opportunity for personal gain. Rather, I see it as a call to service—a continuation of my commitment to serving humanity.”
The message to voters, according to him, is simple: Ondo South comes first. He lamented that despite the district’s huge contributions to the economy of Ondo State and Nigeria through its natural resources, the people are often neglected.
“The people of Ondo South will have in me a representative they can easily access, one who listens carefully to them, understands their concerns, and faithfully presents those concerns to the appropriate authorities for action,” he said.
Kekemeke described himself as “old wine that gets better with age.”
“Many people already know me, but today I am older, more experienced, more mature, and better prepared for this assignment.The point is that experience matters, and I am fully prepared to serve effectively.”
A major plank of his agenda is jobs for young people. He said he will work with the Ondo State Government, the Federal Government, and his colleagues to attract industries, federal agencies, and development projects to Ondo South. He referenced ongoing initiatives he started in Ilaje, saying his goal is to see them standardized, expanded, and sustained through advocacy.
On accessibility, he made a commitment that has resonated with constituents: a monthly return home.
“You should not have to travel to Abuja before you can meet your senator—unless, of course, you simply wish to visit Abuja. I will come home regularly so we can engage, discuss your concerns, and ensure that your voices continue to shape my representation.”
He also addressed expectations around personal financial requests. With over one million people in Ondo South, he said true representation is about policy and sustainable development, not paying everyone’s school fees or wedding bills.
“However, while I may not be able to take every personal call, I will ensure that I remain accessible. I will establish an effective system through which people can reach me and through which I can communicate with them. Where personal intervention is genuinely required, we will not hesitate to help.”
Speaking on his emergence as the APC candidate, Kekemeke was direct. He credited Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for initiating and endorsing his aspiration, the people of Ondo South for their votes, the APC National Working Committee for their support, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership for a credible process.
“I remain committed to justifying the confidence reposed in me through selfless, transparent, and people-oriented representation,” he said.
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