Ex-Osun Deputy Governor Obada’s Senatorial Ambition

One of the foremost characteristics of successful politicians is resoluteness, a determination to see goals reached and visions manifested. This is also one of the selling points of former Osun State Deputy Governor and Minister for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada. Based on recent news, Obada might call upon this aspect of her political self once again, this time to represent the people of Osun East Senatorial District in the Senate House in 2023.

The senatorial ambition of Erelu Olusola Obada does not come as a surprise. It is the traditional path to go from deputy governor to governor and then president, if possible. For Obada, the journey has been from deputy governor to junior defence minister to defence minister. There are still opportunities for more political offices, so why not?

Obada has refused to abandon her People’s Democratic Party for other parties, as some of her peers have done from the word on the streets. If the her 2023 Senate ambition is true and she manages it, Obada will have accomplished what many would not think to do—come back from a decade-long political hiatus and claim the pinnacle of political positions for herself.

For those that do not remember the brilliant stateswoman, Erelu Obada was a PDP gubernatorial candidate in 2003. However, she later disregarded her bid to join Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola as his Deputy. After two terms, Obada stoked the interest of then-President, Goodluck Jonathan, who appointed her as junior defence minister. Not long after, Obada climbed higher and became the defence minister, the last prominent political position she held.

Since then, Erelu Obada has been reported to have tangoed with education and cultural sectors, becoming chairman of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma Governing Council. She has been honoured with several traditional chieftaincy titles, including Erelu of Ijeshaland, Eyaloje of Argidi of Atoko, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ibodi.

Therefore, in many ways, Erelu Obada is already a representative of her people. The senatorial position would only be the icing on her cake. Of course, there might be those who disagree. Nevertheless, come 2023, the electoral die will be cast, and all will be revealed.