By Reloaded News Desk
Professor Raifu Durodoye, a retired United States-based Professor of Mathematics and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed support for the senatorial aspiration of Kunle Adegoke, SAN, urging voters in Osun Central Senatorial District to consider his candidacy and its proposed educational benefits for the district.
Speaking during a telephone conversation with Reloaded News, Professor Durodoye disclosed his intention to complement Adegoke’s proposed interventions in the education sector through international academic opportunities for students across Osun Central.
He specifically promised to support the initiative with overseas academic exchange programmes, research opportunities, grant development, international fellowships and scholarship opportunities for students.
According to him, his background in academia and experience within the international academic environment would enable him to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at expanding educational opportunities for young people in the district.
He described the proposed intervention as an investment that would extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries to their families and the wider society.
“A vote for K-Rad is a vote for you, your children, nieces and nephews included. Above all, it is a vote for hope and the future of Osun State. PLEASE LIFT K-RAD UP! UP!! AND UP!!!” he declared.
Beyond his endorsement of Adegoke, Professor Durodoye expressed concern about the state of the APC in Osun State, particularly its repeated electoral setbacks and the apparent absence of a comprehensive internal review to identify and address the factors responsible.
He questioned why the party had yet to undertake what he considered a genuine assessment of its organisational structure, leadership decisions and electoral performance following successive losses.
The professor also argued that the reported decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to entrust the Osun APC with the presidential and national assembly campaign structure should serve as an important subject of reflection for the party’s leadership.
He maintained that the development ought to prompt serious questions about the confidence, organisation and internal cohesion of the party in the state.
Professor Durodoye further questioned the conduct of some individuals occupying leadership positions within the party, expressing concern that their approach to party administration did not appear consistent with the collective objective of electoral success.
He raised questions about accountability among party leaders, particularly individuals who reportedly recorded poor performances at their respective polling units during the last governorship election but have continued to occupy prominent leadership positions.
He challenged party stakeholders to examine the relationship between leadership positions, electoral responsibility and demonstrable contributions to the party’s growth.
In his words, party leaders should individually ask themselves important questions: Am I truly a leader? Am I leading well? Am I providing the kind of leadership that can move the party forward?
He stressed that the leadership of the APC must place the welfare and wellbeing of its young members at the centre of its considerations, alongside the interests of the general public.
According to him, a political party cannot sustainably grow when the aspirations, contributions and welfare of its younger members are not adequately considered.
He therefore called on the party’s elders and leaders to pay greater attention to the concerns of young members, build an inclusive political environment and demonstrate genuine commitment to the people they seek to represent.
Despite his concerns, Professor Durodoye urged party members and residents of Osun State not to lose hope in the APC, expressing optimism that the party could experience better days ahead if its stakeholders were prepared to confront existing challenges and make the necessary changes.
He also encouraged voters in Osun Central to participate in the electoral process and carefully consider the programmes and commitments being presented by candidates seeking their mandate.
His proposed contribution to international academic opportunities adds another dimension to the education-focused commitments associated with Kunle Adegoke’s senatorial aspiration, while his observations on the APC highlight wider questions about leadership accountability, internal democracy, youth inclusion and the need for institutional self-assessment following electoral defeats.
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