Re: Why Ekiti North Constituency II Must Look Beyond Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Kunle Ibrahim Olarewaju.

Re: Why Ekiti North Constituency II Must Look Beyond Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Kunle Ibrahim Olarewaju.

By Oluwasegun Aina

My attention has been drawn to a watery epistle written by one Bamidele Atolagbe from Otun Ekiti, titled “Why Ekiti North Constituency II Must Look Beyond Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju.” Ordinarily, I would not have responded, but as a direct beneficiary of Hon. Olarewaju’s gesture during the 9th House of Representatives, it is necessary to set the records straight.

First, a simple fact-finding exercise shows that Atolagbe is a pseudo name. People from Otun Ekiti do not bear that name. I openly challenge the writer to a public debate at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council Secretariat in Oke Ori Omi, Ado-Ekiti if indeed he can defend his claims in a verbal engagement.

As a constituent of Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, and one who understands the dynamics of our representation since 2003, let me refresh your memory:

 • Hon. Duro Faseyi (Iludun-Ekiti) 2003 to 2011

 • Late Robinson Ajiboye (Ikun-Ekiti) 2011 to    2015

 • Hon. Tadeous Aina (Ilogbo-Ekiti) 2015 to 2019

 • Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju (Otun-Ekiti) 2019 to 2023

 • Hon. Davidson Akinlayo (Ikosun-Ekiti) Current

Perhaps you lack this basic historical knowledge. That is why this guided memory lane is important.

I give due credit to Hon. Duro Faseyi, who spent eight years in the House of Representatives and later became a Senator, especially in the area of employment opportunities during his twelve years in the National Assembly.

However, history will be exceptionally kind to Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, considering the massive empowerment programmes he executed:

 • Distribution of no fewer than sixteen cars to constituents

 • Bursary awards for students

 • Multiple cash grants for women

 • Solar streetlights across towns and villages

 • Community support initiatives

 • Donation of a Toyota ambulance to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti

 • Thousands of motorcycles, grinding machines, and mini ambulances for hospitals

 • Construction of township roads in Otun-Ekiti including Odora Road and Late Saliu Adeoti Road

 • Building of ICT centres fully equipped with computers

 • Construction of community halls furnished with chairs and Mikano generators such as the one in Ewu Ekiti

 • Several classrooms built across multiple communities. 

In terms of impact and empowerment, no representative in the history of Ekiti North Federal Constituency II has surpassed Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju except perhaps Hon. Duro Faseyi in employment facilitation.

Your article even mistakenly refers to Hon. Olarewaju, the immediate past House of Representatives member, non accessible. Politics is not played that carelessly. You can campaign for your preferred aspirant without resorting to insults. At the end of the day, you have just one vote. Interestingly, whoever wins the APC ticket is the same person you will end up voting for. Let assume you even have interest in contesting?

Let it also be known that all traditional rulers in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II openly prayed for Hon. Olarewaju at the palace of the Oore of Otun Ekiti after his impressive tenure in the 9th Assembly. These prayers preceded his current appointment.

As Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), he has continued to deliver empowerment programmes, employment opportunities for Youth People, convene security summits involving all traditional rulers in Ido Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje, and champion developments that reflect his status as a national asset and a rising star from Otun-Ekiti.

For emphasis, Bamidele Atolagbe is not a native of Otun Ekiti and has no linkage to Otun Ward II. Whoever is behind that fake identity should write an open letter of apology to Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju if he intends to prosper in life or the person get sued from Olarewaju who is widely known to be incredible Lawyer before venturing into politics. 

Finally, the media space is free for anyone to promote their preferred aspirant. But such advocacy must not involve downgrading others simply for cheap political relevance.

Oluwasegun Aina writes from Ilero Quarters, Ifaki Ekiti.