A former Federal Commissioner at the National Population Commission (NPC) and a governorship hopeful on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State, on Thursday visited leader of Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti to inform him about his aspiration to be governor of the state in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
Iyantan, who visited the elder statesman at his residence in Akure, the state capital, sought the blessing of the nonagenarian for him to be victorious at the APC gubernatorial primary coming in April in the state.
Pa Reuben Fasoranti, therefore, blessed Iyantan and wished him success in his aspiration to be governor of the state.
The elder statesman went down memory lane, eulogising Iyantan’s father, Pa T.O Iyantan, who he described as one of the pillars of the Yoruba social-cultural group, Afenifere.
He acknowledged and celebrated Pa T.O Iyantan’s contributions to Afenifere, which represent the interests of the Yoruba race worldwide.
In his address, Hon. Diran Iyantan expressed his commitment to restoring brotherliness and the leadership position of Afenifere as the overall umbrella body for the Yoruba race.
He emphasized the power and prestige that Afenifere held as the mouthpiece of the Yoruba race, speaking with one voice on issues affecting their people. Iyantan pledged to deepen this unity and solidarity during his tenure as the Governor of Ondo State if elected by the people of the state.
The meeting concluded with a special blessing and prayer from Chief Reuben Fasoranti, as Hon. Diran Iyantan embarked on the journey of formally declaring his candidacy through a Town Hall declaration in Akure, Ondo State capital.
This declaration marks the beginning of his campaign for the number one seat as Governor of Ondo State in the upcoming November 2024 governorship election.
According to Iyantan, his visit to Pa Reuben Fasoranti was a mark of his respect for the Afenifere leader and his commitment to the principles and values upheld by the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere.
As the governorship race in Ondo State unfolds, Hon. Diran Iyantan said he aimed to build on the legacies of his father and that of his late brother, Afolabi Iyantan, who served as DeputyGovernor to the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati by contributing to the progress and development of the state.
Among notable dignitaries present during the visit was Chief Korede Duyile, Chairman of the Ondo State Afenifere.