By Gbenga Sodeinde
Excitement was in the air for several hours in the rustic community of Ijurin Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State as former Chief of Staff to immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Hon. Biodun Omoleye flags off campaign for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Omoleye, former students union leader, former caretaker Local Government Chairman and former Special Adviser during Dr. Fayemi’s first term is hoping to represent the people of Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 comprising of Ijero, Ekiti West and Efon in the Green Chamber in the next political disposition.
It was a carnival-like event as party faithful from the three local government areas making up the federal constituency and beyond came in solidarity with Omoleye’s ambition as they testified to his pedigree as having the experience to give the people of the constituency quality representation.
Omoleye, recently defeated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Lere Olayinka as the latter lost a case he filed against the APC flag bearer at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti complaining about the primary which produced the former.
The admirers of the former Chief of Staff said he had acquired requisite experience in politics and governance to merit a seat in the House of Representatives and his closeness to the people in the grassroots would be an advantage for him.
Apart from the guests that came from far and near for the flag off rally, his kinsmen also came out in large numbers to endorse the candidacy of their illustrious son as they declared their readiness to give him massive home support to complement votes from elsewhere.
The Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, who spoke at the rally described Omoleye as truly complete total package and a man that can be entrusted with the people’s ticket for the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
Jamiu said: “He is an administrative wizard with maturity, hardworking with brilliant. Hon. Omoleye is my very close friend, I know too well, I have known him for a very long now, he has been a thorough man of integrity, calculative, he is experience, texted and trusted man with high qualities.
“He has been in high capacity as Local governments chairman, he didn’t fall, he has served the people in the state, he performed excellently.
“He is the best man for the job, I can assure you that he will perform very well bring the dividends of democracy to you people, someone have who have served the Governor directly and have occupied the high position of Chief of Staff and who have done the job effectively well.
“He has served Ekiti in people in high capacity and has not failed, I assured you people that he will deliver. Many people not know that he is an Igbemo man just as he is a man who belongs to many communities in Ekiti State having served them very well.
“So I want you all to vote en masse for him during the next general election and also vote for all APC candidates at the poll so that we the dividends of Democracy can be brought to you.”
Also speaking, the Director, Finance, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Hon. Dapo Kolawole described Omoleye as a party man who had worked to deserve the position of a federal lawmaker saying the people should support him.
While canvassing for more supports of the people for him, Kolawole said, “I want you all my people to vote for him, because your votes for him is also for me. Please let us all support him and make sure he wins the general election, he is a tested and trustes fellow, I assure you, he will not disappoint you.”
The Chairman of the APC in Ijurin Ward, Mr. James Awe, called on the voters to collect their permanent voter cards and vote massively for Hon. Omoleye, to represent them at the federal level.
The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, described Hon. Omoleye, as resourceful, capable and better choice for the constituency, urging voters to vote for him massively.
The Ojurin of Ijurin-Ekiti, Oba Joachim Afolabi and his chiefs were also present with the monarch saying he was at the flag off rally because of the respect he has for Hon Omoleye whom he described as his good friend.
Specifically, Oba Afolabi said,” Obas don’t play play politics but I am here in gratitude to former Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the current Governor , Biodum Oyebanji for many things they have done for our community”
The monarch described Hon. Omoleye as a good man who had also contributed his own quota to the development of the area and the state, saying he has no doubt in his mind that he will do better in Abuja if elected to serve the people in 2023 general election.
His own speech, Hon. Omoleye, promised to tackle youth unemployment and reduce poverty in his constituency, if voted to the House of Representatives.
The former Local Government chairman said he would improve the living conditions of the people and ensure more robust and effective representation to bring dividends of democracy to his constituency.
He urged voters to vote for him, the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and for Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and all APC candidates in the 2023 general elections.
According to him, “The forthcoming election is not just about Biodun Omoleye or any of our candidates but about APC as a family.
“The 2023 elections provides us another golden opportunity to actualize our age-long dream as a race. We must be united more than ever this time to get it right”
Omoleye pointed out that he knew what the people want, saying he is ready to carry out the commitment he made with the people in his constituency.
Other dignitaries at the rally include; former Commissioner for Youths and Sports,Hon Kayode Olaosebikan; lawmaker representing Ijero constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon Ademola Ojo; his counterparts from Efon and Ekiti East I, Hon. Goke Olajide and Hon Lateef Akanle, Executive Chairman, Ijero local government, Hon Adeola Adeyemo, Executive Chairperson, Irewolede LCDA, Hon (Mrs) Dupe Bakare, Executive Chairman, Irede LCDA,Hon. Gbenga Abobade and Mr. Tunji Ogunlola
