By Gbenga Sodeinde
Groups loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in the northern senatorial zone of Ekiti State, have endorsed Chief Segun Ajibulu as candidate for the upper arm of the national assembly, come 2023.
Rising from a crucial meeting to deliberate on ways to record maximum victory in coming elections, the group resolved that assuaging pains inflicted through electoral sideline is key to the needed cohesion that can guarantee all round victory.
The meeting which was put together by the Ekiti North Agenda Organisation (ENAO), sat with the Ikole Concerns Citizens (ICC), to brainstorm on how to solve the age-long sideline of Ikole from the senate since 1999′
It will be recalled that since 1999, there have been four senators produced from Ekiti North senatorial District of Ekiti state at the National Assembly.
They are: Senator Olatunji Joseph Ajayi whose tenure runs from 1999 til 2003, Senator James Kolawole from 2003 to 2007, Senator Ayo Arise, 2007 to 2011, Senator Duro Faseyi, from 2015 to 2019 and Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi from2011 to 2015 and from 2019 till date.
It was resolved that while Ido/Osi, Ilejemeje, Moba and Oye councils have had shots at the Senate, only Ikole Local Government has been unlucky, hence the consideration.
Agitation of the people of Ikole Ekiti was said to have spurred the move by opinion leaders from the region to pick Ajibulu, so as to present a common front for the contest ahead.
Speaking on behalf of ENAO, its Chairman, Ayo Ayeni from Oye Local Government, said: “it is high time Ikole produced a Senator to represent Ekiti North at the National Assembly come 2023 and we tip Chief Segun Ajibulu as the competent person for the job.”.
A statement jointly signed by the two groups stated: “it is high time ikole got the chance to lead us into the Senate this time. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. APC is one family and we must act as one. And because we believe in track record and competency, we have agreed that Ajibulu is our choice. This we are making very clear to all and sundry today.”
The groups said they have confidence in the ability of Ajibulu, who was one time Commissioner at the state’s pension commission, to offer needed quality representation, if elected to the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Expressing their preference further, Pa James Afe, representing ICC, said, “Ajibulu is a reliable, trustworthy, accessible, generous and well grounded member of our party, the All Progressives Congress and he has laboured for the party so well in the past, hence the ripe time for him to be honoured with our votes.
“We have here a patriot who has been selflessly been awarding scholarships to students and helping the needy across the 16 local government areas of the state, even when not contemplating to contest in elections.
“Chief Ajibulu, is from Ipao, a small town in our council but he has a large heart that sees beyond his community. He accommodates all and offer succour to all across board.
“He is a good Ambassador, reliable, accessible, tested and trusted leader, with tested noble character.
Corroborating, ENAO’s Ayeni said: “we can vouch for his consistence and unwavering loyalty to the APC. We believe that if given the opportunity to represent the zone, he will perform to the satisfaction of his party. He will not disappoint his people and he will not let us down.”
