Why Dr. Isaac Kekemeke Is the Right Choice for Ondo South Senate

As the campaign for the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, the people of Ondo South Senatorial District are once again confronted with a defining choice.  Elections should not merely be contests between political parties or personalities; they should be a careful assessment of character, competence, experience, and the capacity to deliver purposeful representation.

It is against this backdrop that I consider Dr. Isaac Kekemeke to be the most qualified and credible candidate seeking to represent Ondo South in the Senate in the next dispensation

In a political environment where many aspire to public office, only a few possess a track record that demonstrates consistent leadership, integrity, courage, and service. Dr. Kekemeke belongs to that exceptional class.

His impressive public service record speaks for itself. As a former Commissioner for Justice and Secretary to the Ondo State Government, he distinguished himself through discipline, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to good governance. He equally broke new ground as the pioneer Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO) and later served as the South-West Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among several other strategic leadership positions

In every assignment entrusted to him, he earned respect through competence, transparency, and exceptional administrative ability.

My convinction and confidence in Dr.  Kekemeke’s suitability for the Senate is not based solely on his personal resume. It’s also rooted in a personal experience that revealed the depth  of his character and his unwavering belief in merit over ethnic or political considerations

In 1994, during the administration of the late Military Administrator of Ondo State, Colonel Usman Ahmed, Dr. Kekemeke recommended me for appointment as Special Assistant to his elder brother, Chief Egbekun Ayubapiriye who was the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. At the time, I was serving in the Ministry of Health and had neither requested the appointment nor expected such consideration.

What made the gesture remarkable was that I was neither from his hometown nor his ethnic extraction. There were many others who could easily have benefited from the opportunity, yet he chose merit over sentiment.

Even when pressure mounted from some quarters to substitute me with someone from his own ethnic background, he stood firmly by his decision. He insisted that competence, not ethnicity, should determine public appointments. That singular decision remains   one of the clearest demonstrations of principled leadership and strongest testimonies to his belief in justice, fairness, equity,  meritocracy. He’s indeed a detribilized Nigerian!

Today, Nigeria yearns for leaders who can rise above tribal, religious, and sectional interests. It needs public servants who are prepared to defend what is right, even when doing so comes at a personal or political cost. Dr. Kekemeke has repeatedly demonstrated that he possesses such courage.

Beyond his legal brilliance and administrative experience, he possesses the attributes expected of an effective senator. He is intellectually sound, having recently bagged an academic doctoral certification, eloquent, accessible, consultative, and visionary. He understands public policy, appreciates the demands of legislation being a former legislator in the Ondo State House of Assembly and has the network and influence required to attract meaningful federal projects and investments to Ondo South.

His leadership style is equally refreshing. He remains accessible to ordinary citizens including market women, artisans, farmers, commercial drivers, youths, professionals, widows, and community leaders alike. Unlike many politicians who become distant after attaining public office, Dr. Kekemeke has maintained close relationships with the grassroots. His humility and simplicity have become defining features of his public life.

The Senate requires individuals who can effectively make laws, provide oversight, influence national policy, and protect the interests of their constituents. Ondo South deserves representation that is intelligent, courageous, and development-oriented. It deserves a senator capable of facilitating infrastructure, promoting youth and women empowerment, supporting education and healthcare, stimulating economic growth, and ensuring that the district receives its fair share of federal attention.

I believe Dr Issac Kekemeke possesses these qualities in abundance

As voters prepare to make one of the most important decisions affecting the future of Ondo South, I urge them to look beyond campaign slogans and political rhetoric. Let competence prevail over sentiment. Let integrity triumph over expediency. Let experience outweigh empty promises

By every objective assessment, Dr Issac Kekemeke has demonstrated that he possesses the character, capacity, and vision to provide impactful representation in the Senate

The people of Ondo South now have an opportunity to elect not merely a politician, but a statesman whose legacy of service inspires confidence. I sincerely believe that if entrusted with this mandate, Dr Issac Kekemeke will justify the confidence of the electorate and leave behind a legacy of effective representation that generations yet unborn will remember with pride