Relentless in his efforts to clinch the 2019 Ogun State Governorship ticket, Kolawole Lawal Mobolorunduro (aka KLM), an Ogun West indigene and the current Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, seems to be getting it right, as he is in touch with the grassroots. Femi Ogbonnikan appraises his recent wide consultation visits to all the three senatorial districts, including his beloved Ogun West, the huge turnouts and the perceptions of the people about his ambition
Like a household name, Kolawole Lawal has remained a formidable factor in the political equation of Ogun State. Thus, his towering and unparalleled status has elevated him over and above his co-aspirants in the 2019 Ogun State governorship race. Basking in the euphoria of the resolve and the restated commitment of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to cede power to an Ogun West candidate, come May 29, 2019 and just as the governorship contest is itching close, Lawal is unrelenting and he is leaving no stone unturned to actualize his ambition. Considered as the favourite and suitable aspirant for the coveted Okemosan, Abeokuta seat of power, his fame has bestridden all the three senatorial districts he has consulted widely for their blessing.
Beginning from Ogun Central (Egba) where he kicked-start his consultation on Saturday, July 29, 2019, it was a rousing welcome at the APC State Secretariat, Abeokuta. State executives of the party and five leaders from each of the six local governments trooped out to welcome and shower their love and support for the amiable and an experienced governorship aspirant. They include Alhaji Lemboye (State Acting Chairman of the party); Alhaji Tajudeen Bello (APC national financial secretary); Alhaji Abidoye Amosun (party leader); Chief Adesiji Lupona (State Treasurer); Alhaji Soji (State Youth leader); Ademosun (senatorial youth leader) and Mr Afolabi Afuape (Ogun State Commissioner for Community Development). They all commended KLM, describing him as a seasoned politician whom the cap fits.
The same consultation train took him to Ogun East, where he was warmly received by the APC party chieftains and supporters. The date was Sunday, October 24, 2019, at Citi Hall, Ibadan road, Imowo, Ijebu Ode. With his rousing welcome into Ijebuland, KLM is optimistic that the people of Ogun East are truly behind him. Ogun East executives and five leaders drawn from the nine local governments that make up the district – Alhaji Folorunsho Elias (Ogun East Senatorial District Chairman); State Party Secretary, State women leader, Ogun East Senatorial youth leader, Ogun East Senatorial women leader, Local Government party chairmen and executive chairman of the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) – took turns to appraise the aspiration of the Ogun West Governorship aspirant. In the opinion of the leaders and elders of the party, KLM is a grassroot politician with a quality pedigree to lead a complex state like Ogun, come May 29, 2019.
KLM hails from Eyo Quarters, in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. He is a strong member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oke-Odan Ward, in Ifekowajo Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Born 55 years ago, KLM is a product of humble background.
His foray into the partisan-politics was informed by his community service and philanthropic antecedents which have thrown him up for recognition, and that underscores his grassroots connection and relevance at his home town. In his determination to touch as many lives as possible, KLM took a giant leap into the philanthropic world, thus, giving hope and succour. He founded “Aseele Labowaba Foundation†to enable him spread the tentacles of his generosity across the three senatorial districts in Ogun State. The foundation has been involved in many lifesaving and transforming projects in the entire Ogun State.
On a state-wide scale, KLM has made a great impact in brightening the future of the youths of the state. He has secured academic pursuit of a reasonable number of indigent and/or brilliant students in secondary schools across the state through the provision of scholarship awards and mass distribution of exercise books and other writing materials and this has formed an integral part of his philanthropic programmes.
He had 20 years stint with ExxonMobil Producing Unlimited where he rose to the management executive cadre.
KLM is a tested and an experienced politician. He once took a shot at the governorship race in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost during the primary.
