Akintola's ally, 'Oke Mountain,' resurrects as son seeks House of Assembly seat in Ogbomoso

Akintola’s ally, ‘Oke Mountain,’ resurrects as son seeks House of Assembly seat in Ogbomoso

Yinka ADETUNJI

Ogbomoso Oyo state is set to witness a political vibration as one of the sons of a former legislator in the Western Region House, Chief Emmanuel Olaniran Oke, Mr. Akin Oke, has unveiled plan to represent Ogbomoso North state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly come 2027.

Mr. Akin Oke, UK-based, who has pitched tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says in a chat with ogbomosoinsightonline.com, that his dream is to re-enact the robust politics of the First Republic, in which his late father actively participated, and “at the feet of whom l learned greatly.”

Late Chief Oke Mountain

Akin Oke

“Politics of liveliness, robustness and touching people’s lives in a tremendous way, those are what my focus is trained on. The politics of First Republic thrived on grassroots engagement and rested on the plank of bequeathing impact and building legacies, my father was well groomed in this, which l imbibed lucidly from him,” he added.

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Remembering a titan, Chief Emmanuel Oke a.k.a. Oke Mountain of ‘fire on the mountain’ fame

From Elewo Bosunla compound (father’s) and Ashipa Osupa (mother’s – Mrs. Janet Oke), he attended Ijeru Baptist Day School, The Apostolic Church Grammar School/Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, Government Technical College, Ogbomoso and Kwara Polytechnic Ilorin.

The intending legislator worked at the 7up Bottling Company, Ilorin as maintenance engineer, Noble Brewery, Offa as Assistant Engineer, before traveling to England.

Mr. Akin Oke had a rich football pedigree. He played school football extensively, and carved a niche for himself in club football. A “lefty,” he was a maverick winger and prodigious goal scorer. He played for such clubs as Papa Bombers, Rolling Stars, Nasarawa United, Oyo State Academical, 7up Football Club, Ilorin, Vitamalt Football Club, Agbara Lagos, an Ogbomoso selected team among others.

His passion for football was great making him to leave a robust trail, having played against such great teams as Oshogbo Steel Rolling Mills, Kwara Bombers, Ilesha Brewery Football Club, IICC Shooting Stars, Leventis United, Vitamalt Club, Flying Eagle of Nigeria, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria and many more.

Currently, he is in England, where he has lived for over 25 years, engaged in productive activities, working in organisations. Now, home is calling to contribute to its development through political participation following in his father’s footsteps among different other ways. He has been involved in activities impacting positively on Ogbomoso especially in football development.

A chip off the old block
Baba E.O. ‘Oke Mountain,” his illustrious father was a politician and educationist (who retired as a public secondary school principal). He was an associate of that great political juggernaut, late Samuel Ladoke Akintola GCON. Oke is best remembered for his pivotal role in staving off the conspiracy of removal against S.L. Akintola when political opponents under the control of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo moved to impeach him as Premier in May 1962. In a premeditated action, Legislator Oke who represented Ogbomoso constituency raised his voice that fateful day in the House, shouting, “Fire on the Mountain …” That was the trigger for thwarting the inglorious, well-planned orchestration for SLA’s impeachment. Circumstances produce brave men. Late Pa Oke was forged in an era that demanded courage and resilience and he did not fail in the daunting role fate thrust to him. Had he lacked pluck or he faltered Akintola would have been run under, and have an unenviable record of an impeached Premier! Hon Oke who became known as “Oke Mountain,” because of the incident played his role well and save the day for Akintola and Ogbomoso in general.

Pa Oke made further impact in education raising generations of enlightened individuals and elite and also contributed immensely to the hospitality sector in Ogbomoso as he founded Standard Garden Hotel which hosted many top musicians in the country.

Certainly, his son, Akin, deserves reward of support by an appreciative people. Anyway this is what Ogbomoso is known for.

Like father like son, let’s see the bravery and stuff the child has in him to unfurl. One thing is clear meanwhile the “Oke Mountains” are topnotch patriots of Ogbomoso.