By Francis Adewumi
Some of Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government youths are throwing their weight behind the aspiration of Hon Gbenga Ogunleye who is contesting for chairmanship race in their local government area.
One of the youths in Awo Ekiti,Mr Olotu Toluwalope, who spoke with The Chronicles Magazine gave some of his reasons why Ogunleye should be voted for in the forth coming local government election.
According to him, “I’m yet to join APC
neither do I even think of becoming a member, but with the recent workings of our amiable Governor His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji and the fairest policies of his Government attracted me to him like honey attracts ant,and not his party. The closeness and the affinity to my family is a story for another day, but my kudos to his administration is fully unrepentant because of his leadership styles”.
He added that, however, apart from H.E Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Hon Ogunleye Gbenga Oluwaseun, OGO EKITI ,one of the leading aspirant for the position of the Chairman in IREPODUN/IFELODUN is another pressure pipe on my neck . Despite not a member of the party he belongs , his brotherly love to me has been fantastic. He was the first person outside the party I belong to give me his party a printing job . At least, he gave me Jagaban Job despite my criticisms for the man he supported enroute the just concluded Presidential elections.
Earlier Olotu said to mention a few, they are both an ALUMNI of Federal university of Technology Akure(FUTA) and he has been a very good brother ever since he knew him.
He recounted that, he could remember vividly the JAMB that got me into FUTA which we wrote at Alakoto high school Tolu Apapa( Tolu complex) around 2001/2002, this man came to my window and whispered into my hear and said.. Tolu…, if you want to have a very good score in this jamb exam don’t start from the front page as the first page of my Type A question paper was mathematics, I never understood what he meant then until I realized that mathematics will waste my time with the calculations it requires but all those objective is pick and flip.
“He drove down from Abuja despite his tight schedule to attended my wedding with a white envelope inclusive and his physical presence…just to mention a few about him.”
To cut the story short, when he informed me of his ambition to contest for the chairmanship position of IREPODUN/ IFELODUN, i was left cold to be sincere, despite knowing him to be a versatile , vibrant and a competent person that can be the voice of the youths and change the narrative in we Youths of Awo Ekiti in recent times. I hate to mix hypocrisy with my actions and what comes out of my mouth.”he narrated.
He also lamented on how Awo community has been marginalized for so long.
“Apart from the MARGINALIZATION we are suffering from in the Politics of IREPODUN/IFELODUN local government as a town, our so called leaders has also failed us politically”he added.
He explained that, Awo is codenamed “ MIDDLE BELT” in the polity of IFELODUN, as other towns from the axis have benefited so much from Government while AWO is always being left in the cold, but with the recent creation of Local council development Areas ( LCDA), I think Awo story should be rewritten for good in the scheme of things.
“If our leaders refuse to speak for us, we youths with one voice can speak for ourselves”.
He also said it’s high time they rewrite all those stories and change the narratives drawing them back from moving forward.
“In the first place, he has been the first to show interest for the post, others may show interest after him, but for the facts that he’s capable of leading us as the youths and leaders of today not tomorrow anymore.
We should shun politics of conspiracies some had practice and some still practicing to fight for a common course and support this man so Awo can take its place in the polity. I heard some have been lobbying for Vice chairmanship as against the chairmanship that can benefit us more. Though , I don’t have issues with that, that’s politics for you. But my question is , when are we going to stop being slaves to other towns in the LG he questioned ?
He said presently Igede has a sitting second term House of Assembly member and also the Present chairman is from the town as well. “The marginalization we have suffered should be enough and let Awo Ekiti produces the next chairman for fairness, equity and justice. I believe with the love Governor Oyebanji has for the town being an ALUMNI of Awo community comprehensive high school and the love the Governor’s Dad “PA FRYO” has for the town. I believe Awo could be considered to produce the next chairman of the council so our story of being a political errand boy in the local government is rewritten. So my support for Ogunleye Gbenga Oluwaseun OGO EKITI is apolitical but for fairness , equity and justice and also for AWO Ekiti glory to shine in the polity of the local government, in the state and the federal republic of Nigeria”.
He called for his support, adding that he has promised never to fail the town and youths at large.
Hear from another youth , a person of Prince Olanipekun Oluwasola Ademuyiwa victor . I like your maturity, oil dey your brain my friend. As you have rightly said, Awo-Ekiti had been marginalized in recent times. It gladdens my heart when I heard this our brother is contesting for LG Chairman. Any other position in the LG, apart from Chairman, is just appendage. Chairman is the only influential position. So, am highly happy for our brother, apart from being a youth.
He is active, eloquent, educated, bold, efficient, proactive and also an activist. May God grant him his heart desires to represent us . We shall continue the awareness till everybody in Irepodun Ifelodun sees this light .