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THE DAY AKOKO STOOD STILL FOR ONE OF THEIR OWN
By Comrade Allen Sowore, Esq
William Shakespeare, in Julius Caesar, wrote:
“When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”
On March 22, 2026, Akoko had its own blazing moment.
The triumphant homecoming of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Honourable Babatunde Kolawole, turned Ifira-Akoko into a theatre of celebration—raw, electric, and unmistakably historic.
A day earlier, I was in Ikare with notable political figures—Hon. Abiola Makinde, Fadairo Oluwafemi, Oyerinde Ijasan (Maxtello), Hon. Adeyemi Koko, and others—gathered in anticipation.
I will not bore you with tales of the numerous goats that went under the knife and were transformed into the famed peppered delicacy known as asun, nor the overwhelming warmth and hospitality we received from the good people of Akoko—from Akungba to Ikare and Oka. Rather, I wish to focus on the widespread acceptance and political strength of the new chairman among his people—youths, men, and women across all strata of society, including traditional rulers and titled chiefs.
What followed was not just an event; it was a statement: Akoko takes pride in its own.
The Thanksgiving Service at Living Faith Church, Akungba-Akoko, was overflowing. Pastor Edwin Ehinjie’s message was simple but weighty—discipline and prudence in leadership. Yet, beyond the sermon, the crowd told its own story: something big was unfolding.
From there, the movement was swift and massive. Akoko emptied into Ifira. Towns, villages, streets—everyone converged at L.A. Primary School playground. It wasn’t organized; it was organic.
Then came the moment.
Amid chants of “Amaechi!”, he emerged—calm, confident, and smiling. Flanked by his elegant wife, Princess Kemisola and lifted by the energy of his people, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole stepped into a sea of loyalty.
This was more than celebration. It was acceptance. It was endorsement.
With political heavyweights in attendance—Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olajide, Hon. Sunday Abegunde, Elder Ayo Akande, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, Victor Olabintan, Chief Alex Ajipe, Olumiywa Adu, among others—the message was clear: a new centre of gravity may be forming within the APC in Ondo State.
Kolawole has spoken of unity. In Akoko, it didn’t sound like a promise—it looked like a movement already in motion under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
On that day, Akoko did not just celebrate.
Akoko stood still.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Communication & Strategy)
March 23, 2026
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