A member of the defunct National Conference, Wale Okunniyi, on Wednesday, declared his interest to contest the Ogun State governorship seat on the platform of Social Democratic Party, SDP, in 2015.

Mr. Okunniyi, who rode on a horse, the symbol of the party, during his declaration at the Abeokuta, Ogun State home of the party leader and former governor, Olusegun Osoba, said he was in the race to bring succour to the citizens of the state.

He said he had paid his due in Nigeria’s politics, and therefore remained eminently qualified to rule the state.

He said his tutelage under one of the founding fathers of Nigeria, Anthony Enahoro, was an added value to his qualification.

“As you are all aware, I was a frontline delegate at confab to reconstruct Nigeria, and it is a known fact that I have paid my dues,” he said. “I am eminently qualified for the governorship position. I am a product of Chief Anthony Enahoro who moved motion for Nigeria independence, and I should be seen as mature to rule.”

The aspirant emphasised that, as a founding member of the SDP, it was on record that he designed the symbol of the party years back, hence his active involvement in the formation of the party cannot be denied.

Mr. Okunniyi, a two time governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC, said if voted into power, he would show that governance is collective responsibilities of all everybody.

He stressed that civil societies would be encouraged to be vigilant in ensuring good governance.

The aspirant stated that if he wins the election, the people of Ogun State would be in the driving seat while he would play the role of a coordinator.

Mr. Okunniyi, however, lamented that civil society organisations had become dormant and therefore called for their revival in the interest of nation building.