Ex-Honeywell boss, Seyi Oduntan, joins Ogun senatorial race

A senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun East, Otunba Seyi Oduntan, has formally indicated his interest to vie for the exalted office.

This followed his payment of the prescribed sum of N3.8 million and collection of the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from the party’s headquarters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Oduntan, who purchased the form last week and has since completed and returned same to the party, entered the race in November 2013 after due consultation with community leaders, elders of the party as well as major stakeholders of the APC.

He has toured all the nine Local Government Areas and the 103 wards that make up Ogun East Senatorial District.

Surrounded by party faithful, who accompanied him to the party secretariat in Abeokuta, Oduntan proudly showed off his nomination form after the presentation of the Expression of Interest Form to him by the state Secretary of the APC, Hon. Toyin Ayebusiwa, amidst cheers and jubilation from the crowd.

A very elated Oduntan said he was hopeful of success at the polls when he told the crowd that they should continue praying and working for a fruitful outcome, as the race for the National Assembly will soon begin, starting with party primaries.

The former Managing Director of the Honeywell Group and one time CEO of the Nigerian Compass Newspaper said the contest for the Senate would be the keenest because that is where the fate of the nation is decided via robust legislative debate at the upper chambers.

He said that is why Nigerians must be extremely careful in choosing those who will represent them as the choice can make or mar any constituency and the nation at large.

Oduntan urged all prospective voters in Ogun State to rise above sentiments by electing those capable of making governance work for the masses.

However, analysts are of the view that Oduntan may eventually slug it out with his bosom friend and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, if both win the ticket of their parties.

While Oduntan is running on the platform of the APC, Daniel, who has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, is also believed to be vying for the same senatorial seat.

Oduntan brings all along a wealth of experience having being in the league of captains of industries.

At the Honey well Group, Oduntan rose to become the General Manager and later the Managing Director of the conglomerate at a very young age of 35.

After 14 years of meritorious service, he resigned from the Honeywell Group to form his own company, Lanrope Group of companies, a highly diversified group with interests in diesel and solar energy, international trade and finance.

Oduntan has served as Chairman or Director in various public and private institutions, including the Western Publishing Company, publishers of the  Nigerian Compass Newspapers; Ogun State-owned Gateway Pharmaceuticals company Limited; Director, Citadel Savings and Loans Limited (where he was co-founder); Director, Forest City Limited (UK); Chairman, SG Services Limited, an Oil servicing Company with foreign affiliation for Project Management and Front end engineering; Chairman, Metrorail Limited; Monorail construction, Bridges and Stratt Consulting Limited, capacity builders, management consultants; ICT solutions providers, trainers and developers in collaboration with world renowned consultants, among many others.

In a recent interview, Oduntan said: “Ogun State people expect and believe that infrastructural development by government is vitally important.

“Putting thousands of people back to work with construction of new roads, bridges, power, water, ensures a knock-on effect that helps to put hard earned cash in pockets and food on the table of thousands more is important. This is what makes our dear Ogun State very unique and so special.

“The scale of the infrastructure that is currently being built by the Ibikunle Amosun government is unprecedented, and it is my belief that by addressing this problem, generations yet unborn will derive huge benefit for integrated development.

“But we can get more from the centre to support this laudable achievement. For example, we can and should get the Federal Government to fully rehabilitate the Abeokuta-Sagamu-Ore-Benin road as it is currently being done in large swathes of the North and South-South.”