COMMUNIQUE OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE OF EKITIPANUPO
Communique issued at the end of Ekitipanupo 20th Anniversary Conference held virtually on 6 March 2025.
Members from Nigeria, UK, USA and Canada participated in the Conference.
1. All papers agreed on toeing the path of the Yoruba virtue of Omoluabi that founded Ekitipanupo these 20 years past and recognized it as driving force behind its quest for Leadership and good governance.
2. All papers noted with dismay the deviance from achieving above objective both in Ekiti and Nigeria generally.
3. Critical interventions suggested a revamp of Structure, Attitude and Strategies mostly by government (of Ekiti) as imperative for arresting the present drift.
4. Meeting agreed on ACTION NOW by Ekitipanupo and cease from inexorable complaints.
5. Imperative: To change, Ekiti must read the global parameters right and position appropriately;
6. Also proceed by installing Institutional Quality.
Ekitipanupo will Sustain its Credibility
MESSAGE OF THE LEADER OF EKITIPANUPO ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORUM
Dear esteemed members of the Ekitipanupo initiative and our distinguished guests, you are all welcome to this August occasion of our
20th-anniversary celebration! Today marks a significant milestone in our journey together, and we are thrilled to share this momentous occasion with all of you.
Over the past two decades, our group has worked tirelessly to promote the Omoluabi core values that Ekiti people are known for. We have made significant strides in this direction
Through our collective efforts, we have created a community that is dedicated to advocating for positive change and fostering of a more just and equitable society, not only in Ekiti but in Nigeria at large
As we gather here today, we celebrate not only our achievements but also the bonds of friendship, solidarity, and shared purpose that have sustained us throughout the last 20 years.
We honor the visionaries who founded our group, the leaders who have guided us, and the countless members who have contributed their time, talent, and passion to our cause.
As we look to the future, we recommit ourselves to our mission and to the values that have brought us this far. We will continue to use our platform to advocate that people in government should address the challenges of poverty by giving constructive suggestions that will help to build a brighter future for all, particularly in Ekiti, our *Ile Iyi Ile Eye*
I thank you all for being part of this journey with us. Let us celebrate this milestone with joy, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose as we look forward to the future
Together, we can achieve greater heights going forward
God be with you all
Akinyemi Gabriel
Leader, Ekitipanupo Initiative
INDIGENOUS INTELLECTUAL ROUNDTABLE NEWS
AANU EKUNDAYO BECOMES THE TREASURER OF EKITIPANUPO FORUM
Miss Aanuoluwa Grace Ekundayo, a graduate of Economics and a Chartered Stockbroker, has been nominated and ratified on March 4, 2025 by the EXCO as the Treasurer of Ekitipanupo Forum.
REMEMBERING OTUNBA AYAN KOLAWOLE (1954-2022)
It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing away, today, of Otunba Ayan Kolawole of Willingsboro New Jersey, USA, and of Ikun-Ekiti. A passionate Ekiti citizen, an untiring Ekiti Brand Ambassador! Always looking out for how to lift our people out of poverty. Moba kingdom and Ikun has lost an illustrious son!
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
We at Ekitipanupo where his voice is very loud and will be sorely missed, express our condolences to the family and pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the great loss!
Fola Richie-Adewusi
For Ekitipanupo EXCO
July 26, 2022
Egbon ‘Yan, O D’Igba
By, Seye Adetunmbi
More often, bad news comes and catches one unprepared for it and such leaves one dumbfounded on what to say. Yes, that was the case when I first read the sad news of the transition of Otunba Ayan Kolawole in the Atokeibeirosi Leadership Initiative forum.
I couldn’t say anything until now that the reality of obsequies caught up with me, that indeed, egbon ‘Yan, as I fondly called him, has gone for ever and left us behind.
He was among the passionately committed and distinguished Ekiti indigenes I first met on the internet platform of Ekitikete International Forum in their active days in the late 1990s/early 2000s, before our physical meeting.
Otunba Ayan Kolawole came from the USA for the first Public Lecture of Ekitipanupo in 2007
Egbon 'Ýan (right) with another distinguished Ekiti man, oga Paul at my 50th birthday thanksgiving in 2012
Unequivocally, he was among the pioneer members of Ekitipanupo Forum from the onset. He participated consciously in everything we did till date and used the platform to broadcast his dream project in Moba axis in Ekiti-State.
Egbon 'Yan was there for me the event of Ekiti Parapo New York in 2013 when I was honoured
It amounts to understating it that we will miss egbon ‘Yan. I have lost a very good Ekiti brother who inspired and encouraged me on the dream Ekiti project. He is gone with all his virtues.
Fare thee well sir, till meet to part no more.
1
Okan-Eletolua
Dr Femi Orebe wrote:
Waoh!Death where is thy sting?
How cruel would you be?
But in all, God be praised.
I wasn't privileged to meet Atan but Boy! How we related virtually on this absolutely unique platform whose place we are now beginning to truly appreciate as some of take the early bus home to the heaven lies, as we all shall.
What a gentleman, with an unquenchable love for Ekiti, our Motherland?
May the good Lord grant him eternal rest and comfort the family he left behind.
Aba AYAN KOLAWOLE's (as fondly called) demise came as a rude shock. My two decades of closeness to him started in the early 2000s when I was elected into the EXCO of Ekitiparapo Lagos. He was committed to Ekiti Project, almost to a fault. His fingerprints and footprints remain everywhere and in everything branded Ekiti.
He was a bridge builder, a promoter of peace and harmony, a pillar of development in his primary constituencies, especially IKUN-AMURE and MOBA LAND; not given to underhand sponsorship of wahala directly or through proxies from his diaspora abode.
To him, no sitting on the fence on any Ekiti matter. He was always in touch. He tasked me to the limit during my last assignments in Ekiti, as a member of Ekiti State Covid-19 Committee and another task of setting up one revenue generating Commission for the State.
We have lost a true born son of Ekiti. A passionate believer in Ekiti Project, a philanthropist to the core, practitioner of Ekiti virtues, a dogged fighter who committed his God given resources to the cause of serving God and humanity, never delighted in promoting bad causes.
His respect for fellow Ekitis knew no bounds. I just called to inform him of my family’s vacation visit to NY shortly before Covid-19. He surprised us by showing up in NY two days later, all the way from New Jersey. Trust him, he came with a legion of Ekiti developmental matters. We spoke on phone for over one hour about two months ago. His last message to me thereafter was an appeal to invest in some projects in IKUN AMURE and its environs. He nominated me as one of the Coordinators for Ekiti Economic Development Group (EKEDEG), one of his last initiatives; and also as a Speaker in the last Diasporian Seminar early in the year.
We just ended the Open Commendation Service (some of us virtually) in IKUN now (today, 5th August 2022). Aba AYAN touched lives, he impacted his communities and changed so many narratives, directly and indirectly. The testimonies were deep and emotional. Just like his early life stories. Like someone said, he left Ekiti for the USA in 1982, but the Ekiti in him never left him. Though in diaspora, he was a towering personality everywhere; never reputed for playing the ostrich among his kinsmen. His posture was clear and definite.
We can only join his other numerous constituencies to pray for God’s protection over the family and others he left behind. To the children, please be advised “omo ti ajanaku ba bi o gbudo ya rara, omo terin ba bi, Erin ni o jo (an elephant child must not turn out to be a dwarf, an elephant’s child must resemble the elephant). God will strengthen you all for the tasks ahead, amen.
Professor Segun Ajibola, Ph.D, FCIB, FICA, FCTI, F.IoD, FERP, FFAR, CRM, LLB, BLPast President/Chairman of Council
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
Banjo Ogunrosoye wrote:
A Good man is gone !May his Soul rest in peace
Banjo Ogunrosoye
Banjo Ogunrosoye
Mrs Ajibulu wrote:
May the soul of our legendary Omoluabi Ekiti egbon Ayan Kolawole rest in the blossom of almighty God and my sincere condolences to the immediate family and Ekiti people.
Iyaafin Ajibulu
Prof Oluwole Akindahunsi wrote:
Chief Johnson Ayanlola Kolawole was a Patriot of Ekiti Entrepreneurial Freedom Fighter. While we all occupy multiple identities in our live, some stand out more sharply, and are more cherished, than others. For most of his adult life, Ayanlola engaged in Socio-Economic Liberation War of Ekiti and his Ikun - Ekiti homestead. It is that experience alone that perhaps defines him more than anything else. When he visited me in my North Carolina home several times in company of Baba Prof. Banji Akintoye years ago, I noticed that the better angels of Ayanlola’s nature drove him into desperate acts of sacrifice, courage and commitment to his beloved Ikun and Ekiti entrepreneurial emancipation.
Good Night Ayanlola.
Prof. Oluwole Akindahhunsi
North Carolina, USA
Wilson Agbaje wrote:
Eternal rest grant him O Lord. Egbon Ayan was a great Ekiti icon and his amiable way of solving problems Sunre o Omoluabi Ekiti.
Agbaje Ojo Wilson
Kayode Afolabi wrote:
Quite a loss. May his soul find favour with God.Kayode Afolabi
Debo Adeduntan wrote:
This is so sad and unfortunate. I spoke to him a couple of times years ago and he treated me with utmost respect and offered his help and advice concerning my request. He was such a believer in the Ekiti project May his family find peace and strength in these times
May he rest in peace May we not have repeats of such among us Amen
Debo Adeduntan
Lere Adeyemi wrote:
This is a sad news! The demise of Ọtunba Ayan Kolawole ìs unfortunate and lamentable. He ìs one of the few rising stars from Moba Local Government, a good role model and worthy ambassador of Èkìtì! May his soul rest ín peace. May the Lord comfort his immediate family and members of the forum. Ọjọ́ a jìnnà síra lórúkọ Jésù.
Lérè Adeyemi
Dr Sikiru Eniola wrote:
Wole Olujobi
Igirabatalokun Ekitipanupo
AAYE EKITI
Omo eleku lele lele ona Aaye,Eku Senu Omode Aaye o mu kete ö ra gburin.
POLITICS OF PRIMARY ELECTION IN NIGERIA AND ARISING ISSUES
EKITI PEOPLE DECIDE ON THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
EXTRACTS FROM EKITIPANUPO DELIBERATIONS ON THE 14TH JULY 2018 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN EKITI
Okan Seye Adetunmbi’s Comments:
On Negative People
“Abinu oni, elilo e ran” is the old adage of our elders in Ekiti.
Keep bringing out the facts. JKF team must not give up because of those who may not know about the projects per community In Ekiti under the administration of Fayemi. Please reel out every good thing the man did between 2010 and 2014; it is not about convincing the sworn “elenini”, enemies and unrepentant detractors, but for posterity. “Nitoripe, aja orogun e gborire, osoru gb’elo.”
Reaction to Fabricated Inferences
Some people stay in the comfort of their homes to fabricate stories and whip sentiments that suit their fancies on Fayemi’s victory in the APC primary election.
Come with me on some aspects of the comment of an Ekitipanupo member.....
1. Who could have won the APC primary election on a platter of gold among the 33 aspirants and go ahead to win the governorship election proper at no cost? The inquiring minds would like to know.
2. Who led Yoruba or SW mainstream to team up with Buhari? I recall Dele Babatunde of blessed memory who advocated and counseled in Ekitipanupo that ACN should have remained as a strong political block in SW region and not dissolve into APC. Article of Opeyemi Agbaje on Afonja syndrome remains fresh in our minds on the political move of Jagaban.
3. When he was playing Rambo of Yoruba politics from his position of strength in Lagos spreading his tentacles, he was not bulkanising or eroding the influence of Osoba, Adebayo etc in their political base, “abi”? If the alliance with Buhari was not about BAT, why didn’t he promote Otunba to be VP when Muslim-Muslim ticket couldn’t fly?
4. What became of Afenifere that Tinubu used to have access to political power and huge financial resources in Lagos till today? Because a new set of political power block is evolving in Yoruba nation to replace “BAT emirate” using the word of the agent provocateur who wrote about backstabbing, in the same manner his structure overwhelmed Afenifereism!
5. The reality is that everybody is protecting his or her own political agenda, there is no common front for Yoruba nation anymore. As we can see, 33 governorship aspirants emerged in Ekiti APC. God for all, everyone for him/herself. “Igba kan de, igba kan lo; ile aiye wa titilai. Igba ni onigba nlo.“
6. I still cannot figure out why some people don’t want Fayemi to try his chance like others on second term! If had not joined the race with all the mines laid for him, it would have put an end to his political career because people would say it is the white paper that banned him and has accepted guilt.
7. Fayemi is not a Gambari or an Agatu nor a Fulani, he is a full fledged Ekiti man. If he wins the governorship election it is victory for Ekiti people and not any imaginary cabal.
8. It is very honorable for this who mean well for Ekiti to dwell more on how to make him be a better governor when given another chance, and not playing pull-him-down game.
9. We should also be talking about how Ekitipanupo can facilitate a healthy TV debate for the party flag bearers to tell the nation on what they will do differently from what we have seen so far that has not uplifted Ekiti State such that the electorate can vote wisely. Pose questions to the candidates on issues that are giving the people concern for the flag bearers to be upfront with the people they want to govern from their responses.
10. None of the SW APC leaders is more Yoruba than Fayemi nor will pursue the cause of Yoruba better than him. It is the losers that play the card of mischief through name calling to discredit a winning team. Ekiti people cannot be deceived; head or tail, they are the winner at the end of the day.
Ajuse o.
On Lies, Mischief Makers and Security
The political camp of JKF must be a step ahead of Oshoko camp to quench their propaganda and plans to trigger violence in anticipation of loss until the election is over.
Since Fayemi is the person to beat in the July 14 election, the oracle favors him to pick the trophy, PDP will want to “run-runse si” the election. Desperation becomes inevitable with collaboration with the “ageku ejo(s)” in APC.
Timely response to any lie or scheme against Fayemi is very important and necessary.
Also supporters of Fayemi and the principal himself need to extra security conscious this season. “Okere l’ubi a ti sele”; it won’t come near us.
Be at alert and prepared, JKF camp.
The truth will prevail
To those Playing Tinubu Card in Ekiti
Stop playing this imaginary Tinubu card in Ekiti politics. Oga Bola is smarter than all the people holding unsolicited briefs for him. For every state in Yoruba land that APC governs, it is to the credit of BAT it doesn’t matter if his preferred person didn’t get the ticket.
He is also a pragmatic politician who is wise and reasonable enough to know that “Igba ko lo bi orere. Aye nyi, a nto o. Igba kan lo, igba kan mbo.....eni kan o lo Ile aiye gbo”.
The losers should stop dragging his name to Ekiti politics, he can’t influence voting pattern of Ekiti people. Personally I find it irritating each time they keep disturbing the man by mentioning his name in Ekiti matter.
Whoever wants to win governorship election in Ekiti should go and campaign to the voters and reach out to all ranks of grassroot people and opinion leaders in the respective towns.
WHO WILL DELIVER EKITI FROM SELF-SERVING POLITICS
MUSING ON EKITIPANUPO AT 12
What a collosal loss. May his noble soul rest in peace. May the Lord Almighty sustain his family.
Victor Adewusi wrote:
A devastating loss to the Ekiti community in Diaspora. Painful, shocking and very sad
Bamikale Feyisetan wrote:
May the gentle soul of Otunba Ayan Kolawole rest in peace. May the Almighty give the family and Ekitipanupo the fortitude to bear the loss.
Idowu Jegede wrote:
I commiserate with the family of our beloved Ayan Kolawole in particular, and the Ekitipanupo family in general,on the huge loss of an icon and a perfect gentleman . We shall miss his contributions to issues. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and, may the peace of God abides with the bereaved. Sorry o.
Wole Olujobi wrote:
Very shocking! I hate to think that Otunba is no longer with us. Terrible! May his beautiful soul rest in peace.Wole Olujobi
Igirabatalokun Ekitipanupo
Joel Obayomi wrote:
It's difficult to believe Otunba Ayan Kolawole is gone for ever. Sweet is always the memories of the righteous. May his soul rest in peace. Ayan, sun re oEKITIPANUPO RIJIGS ITS EXCO
The pre-emnient Ekiti intellectual roundtable, Ekitipanupo Forum, has reconstituted its Executive Committee (EXCO). Alagba Gabriel Akinyemi FCS, a respected stockbroker succeeded Professor Akin Oyebode, the pioneer leader of Ekitipanupo Forum. 
In the message posted to the general assembly of Ekitipanupo Forum members, the General Secretary, Bode Babalola wrote:
Quote
The Executive Committee members wish to thank the entire members of Ekitipanupo Forum for their support and numerous contributions to the tremendous growth of the group over the past years. The EXCO is not unmindful of your selfless service and therefore, wish to commend you all for these meteoric achievements. God will reward you abundantly. The EXCO met and some far-reaching decisions were unianimously reached and taken, with the hope that they would give the forum a new fillip, chart a new course and create a new vista necessary to reposition it to deliver on its objectives of positvely impacting on the socio-economic, political, educational and cultural development that our dear fatherland desires at this auspicious time.
The EXCO, on behalf of the forum, expressed profound gratitude to our indefatigable, erudite and cerebrally robust Prof.Oyebode for his fatherly leadership, which helped in no small measure, in the achievememts of the modest but meterioc and stellar milestones the group recorded over the past decade. We remain hopeful that our amiable Leader would readily avail us the the wealth of his knowledge and wisdom whenever occassion demands. It is our prayer that he will savour the joy of retirement in radiant health, divine peace and uncommon blessings. To the rest of the members of past EXCO, we cannot thank you enough for finding time to yield to the clarion call to service.
Our hearts also go to the family of Dola Bamigboye. a pioneer member of the EXCO and other members of this group who have joined the triumphants. We sorely miss them. Our prayer is that their sleep be sweet and their rest be peaceful and that God, who owns the world in His monstrous immensity, will continue to comfort their immediate families, friends and members of this Forum..
Unquote
Ekitipanupo Initiative (EI) appreciates all the volunteers who have consented and contributed to the rejig of the EXCO. God will empower the forum to contribute towards taking Ekiti to the enviable height in the committee of states in Nigeria. new EXCO members. An abridged profile of the newly constituted EXCO members are as follows:
1. Alagba GABRIEL AKINYEMI - Leader
Alagba Akinyemi is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria and the Chief Executive Officer of Valmon Securities Limited. He is the pioneer Deputy Leader of Ekitipanupo and a native of Osi-Ekiti. He has been nominated to stet-up and assume duty of Leadership for Ekitipanupo Forum
2. OLORI FOLA RICHIE-ADEWUSI - Deputy Leader
Mrs Fola Richie-Adewusi, is the Proprietress of Nurture Haven Academy, Ado-Ekiti and onetime Commissioner in Ekiti-State. She is a native of Osin-Ekiti.
3. OLABODE BABALOLA - General Secretary
Mr Bode Babalola is a Chartered Accountant who worked with Cadbury PLC for many years. He is a native of Aiyedun-Ekiti
4. AYO OLALEYE - Assistant Secretary
Ayo Olaleye is a technocrat based in Canada. He served as the UK Envoy of Ekitipanupo Forum until accepting to serve as the Assistant Secretary. He is a native of Ootunja-Ekiti.
5. CHIEF AYO OTITOJU - Treasurer
Chief Adele Otitoju is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and Institute of Taxation in Nigeria. He is the Managing Partner of Ayodele Otitoju & Co and a native of Ilupeju-Ekiti
6. OLUDAYO OLORUNFEMI - Legal Adviser
Ms Oludayo Olorunfemi is a barrister at Law. She served as the Chairman of Ekiti Chapter of Nigeria Bar Association. She is a native of Aiyedun-Ekiti.
7. WILSON AGBAJE OJO - PRO
Wilson Agbaje is a media guru and a native of Efon Alaaye.
8. TUNDE OSO - Assistant PRO
Tunde Oso is a seasoned journalist who presently works for Vanguard newspaper. He is a native of Osi-Ekiti.
9. CHIEF VICTOR ADEWUSI - Envoy, USA
Chief Adewusi is a technocrat based in Rhode Island in USA. He is a native of Iyin-Ekiti
10. TUNDE JEGEDE - Envoy, Canada
He is a technocrat based in Canada and a native of Ilupeju-Ekiti
11. CALEB AROGUNDADE - Envoy, UK
Caleb Arogundade is a lawyer by profession and a native of Ipoti-Ekiti, based in UK.
Ekitipanupo Forum, was formally convened on March 6th 2005, by Okan Seye Adetunmbi to bring together the best of Ekiti indigenes at home and abroad to a roundtable deliberations on the progress of Ekiti-State.
EI
Omo eleku lele lele ona Aaye,Eku Senu Omode Aaye o mu kete ö ra gburin.
ADO EKITI
Omo Ado Oora Amukara sabe ewuje, Ikara se meji i temi lukoko, Ado mei yunle oni kobe osilo monu
Omo Ado Oora Amukara sabe ewuje, Ikara se meji i temi lukoko, Ado mei yunle oni kobe osilo monu
AGBADO EKITI
Omo owa omo ekun omo alagbado orara, aimona gbe sinu agbado
Omo owa omo ekun omo alagbado orara, aimona gbe sinu agbado
AISEGBA EKITI
Aisegba aguda omo apalufin omo olulu orokeiroloru lasura omo odoja supon-na lasura
Aisegba aguda omo apalufin omo olulu orokeiroloru lasura omo odoja supon-na lasura
ARA EKITI
Omo alara tin dara,ara la o mada ,awa o ni daran.
Omo alara tin dara,ara la o mada ,awa o ni daran.
ARAMOKO EKITI
Omo alaramoko l'ejidogbon agogo ude; alara m'oi pori isa okan i ki mi ' a roko aga o, ara ara pelu ife'jumo k'agbara ga k'ara ye wa' k'ara san wa; Ara ulu ayo.
Omo alaramoko l'ejidogbon agogo ude; alara m'oi pori isa okan i ki mi ' a roko aga o, ara ara pelu ife'jumo k'agbara ga k'ara ye wa' k'ara san wa; Ara ulu ayo.
ARAROMI-UGBESHI EKITI
Omo elesi adu ile adu oko.
Omo elesi adu ile adu oko.
ARE EKITI
Omo oyi ajawa nfe murinmurin lule.
Omo oyi ajawa nfe murinmurin lule.
AWO EKITI
Omo alagodo abeni memu,omo oloke ijisun eru ko yu.omo eguru sotita ona oke ijisun.
Omo alagodo abeni memu,omo oloke ijisun eru ko yu.omo eguru sotita ona oke ijisun.
AYEDE EKITI
Ayede geri attah, osoko ekiti soko akoko, o sakoko rigborigbo.
Ayede geri attah, osoko ekiti soko akoko, o sakoko rigborigbo.
AYEDUN EKITI
Omo elesun a payiya yeye.
Omo elesun a payiya yeye.
AYEGBAJU EKITI
Ayegbaju obalu odagun lule odagun loko omo alale kemun tisan bomi.
Ayegbaju obalu odagun lule odagun loko omo alale kemun tisan bomi.
AYEGUNLE EKITI
Omo amoro epa reni, Omo amuda sile mogun erun pani.
Omo amoro epa reni, Omo amuda sile mogun erun pani.
AYETORO EKITI
Elo ajana omo agbo o yo erun odi, Omo owa omo ekun, edu iju omo akin,omo ofabere gunyan ki idi gberigbe ona ma mo. Omo oluku k'aso ibo,omo abadin hanran hanran.
Elo ajana omo agbo o yo erun odi, Omo owa omo ekun, edu iju omo akin,omo ofabere gunyan ki idi gberigbe ona ma mo. Omo oluku k'aso ibo,omo abadin hanran hanran.
EFON-ALAYE EKITI
Omo oloke ko moke igun,oke ko malayei tile ogun,omo edu ule haun efon kumoye, Omo Oke Wa Foona Oke Sora Dotaa, Eji gberekede, Eji gbimorodun.
Omo oloke ko moke igun,oke ko malayei tile ogun,omo edu ule haun efon kumoye, Omo Oke Wa Foona Oke Sora Dotaa, Eji gberekede, Eji gbimorodun.
ERIJIYAN EKITI
Omo Elerii njiyan kan da’de, akun weji weji, Omo alaye more Oko ido ale iye, Omo Elegigun iwaju ji’ tehin nrina, Omo Elegigun le ju ade kan soso, Omo adegigunsori-eko weji weji.
Omo Elerii njiyan kan da’de, akun weji weji, Omo alaye more Oko ido ale iye, Omo Elegigun iwaju ji’ tehin nrina, Omo Elegigun le ju ade kan soso, Omo adegigunsori-eko weji weji.
EMURE EKITI
Omo Elemure aoro ora, elemure i japari usu, ei jemulolo udi re, aarin usu ni kan mu a kelemure mi aje, Emilomo eso orita egiri oke, Emure ijaloke afisu foloore.
Omo Elemure aoro ora, elemure i japari usu, ei jemulolo udi re, aarin usu ni kan mu a kelemure mi aje, Emilomo eso orita egiri oke, Emure ijaloke afisu foloore.
EPE EKITI
Epemuke moale omo elepe lologun igi lasan lara oko unbo.
Epemuke moale omo elepe lologun igi lasan lara oko unbo.
ERINJIYAN EKITI
Omo oloja odo omo oloja odo aboyesun, omo erin adigunbo.
Omo oloja odo omo oloja odo aboyesun, omo erin adigunbo.
ERINMOPE EKITI
Omo eridu'ora omokuku be korantan i hanomo han ke bi han be i dun han Eeemope Omo Eridu 'ora.
Omo eridu'ora omokuku be korantan i hanomo han ke bi han be i dun han Eeemope Omo Eridu 'ora.
ERIO EKITI
Èdú Èrìò ọmọ agbe mùsúù kẹlẹ, ọmọ ọtayeye lugbọn-ọn mibọbọ joye, ibọbọ jolodeode, ibọbọ jọta epo, ọmọ oloke meji takọ tabo, ajoji baa i gori olodeode, ọta epo larosi de a.
Èdú Èrìò ọmọ agbe mùsúù kẹlẹ, ọmọ ọtayeye lugbọn-ọn mibọbọ joye, ibọbọ jolodeode, ibọbọ jọta epo, ọmọ oloke meji takọ tabo, ajoji baa i gori olodeode, ọta epo larosi de a.
ESUN EKITI
Omo elesun oyinbo omo elesun orinjeyeweere.
Omo elesun oyinbo omo elesun orinjeyeweere.
ESURE EKITI
Omo Elesure okese.
Omo Elesure okese.
EWU EKITI
Omo Ewu Ogidi uda, omo amudasile mogun enupani.
Omo Ewu Ogidi uda, omo amudasile mogun enupani.
EYIO EKITI
Omo a muda sile kogun eni pani.
Omo a muda sile kogun eni pani.
IDO EKITI
Omo udo oganganmodu ama gbado ekuru resin, iha lomo alagbado ayaiya tan aiha a ya, aire a ya arimona gbe sinu agbado.
Omo udo oganganmodu ama gbado ekuru resin, iha lomo alagbado ayaiya tan aiha a ya, aire a ya arimona gbe sinu agbado.
IDO-ILE EKITI
Ile Omo Ajinare mope oye, omo owa omo ekun, omo ajisunhan,omo ajire ni, omo amojo gbogbo dara bi egbin,omo alagogo ajilu gbingbin ni sosi,omo onibata kero kalokabo lona adura omo oni bata kerokalo-kabo lugbi mo rusimi onigbagbo.
Ile Omo Ajinare mope oye, omo owa omo ekun, omo ajisunhan,omo ajire ni, omo amojo gbogbo dara bi egbin,omo alagogo ajilu gbingbin ni sosi,omo onibata kero kalokabo lona adura omo oni bata kerokalo-kabo lugbi mo rusimi onigbagbo.
IFAKI EKITI
Ifaki orinkinran, omo atijo ogun lele boorun maakin. Esi keejogun ijale udo ona ifaki lii ha. Omo okorobo lila isuko firi ona eyika more.
Ifaki orinkinran, omo atijo ogun lele boorun maakin. Esi keejogun ijale udo ona ifaki lii ha. Omo okorobo lila isuko firi ona eyika more.
IGBARA-ODO EKITI
Omo eleye i se weyeweye ati dori ogun.
Omo eleye i se weyeweye ati dori ogun.
IGBEMO EKITI
Omo elefo sigbemo oba yii efo san bi eni releefo romi oko ra lona igbemo.
Omo elefo sigbemo oba yii efo san bi eni releefo romi oko ra lona igbemo.
IGBOLE EKITI
Omo olurara agbagba tile oyi biribiri goke lagbe igbole odo.
Omo olurara agbagba tile oyi biribiri goke lagbe igbole odo.
IGEDE EKITI
Omo elemi nigede amadiye sereke, elemi igede niwi ki mi gbadiye sin, mowi me i sinye omi, oni laso mo mu kigede soro, agboku mariwo na mi selewo yuyu.
Omo elemi nigede amadiye sereke, elemi igede niwi ki mi gbadiye sin, mowi me i sinye omi, oni laso mo mu kigede soro, agboku mariwo na mi selewo yuyu.
IGOGO EKITI
Igogo obiri; omo awoko merin tia gbe foruru obe je egberin okele, ekiri oke omo amain urukan jaraba iyan igogo sebora onielaya edese.
Igogo obiri; omo awoko merin tia gbe foruru obe je egberin okele, ekiri oke omo amain urukan jaraba iyan igogo sebora onielaya edese.
IJAN EKITI
Omo ijanmodu alagada ogun, omi ki ijan i mu ni ijan we esi; omo elega arisagba.eru ko sagba nibe arija ayaba,ari sagba arija olori.
Omo ijanmodu alagada ogun, omi ki ijan i mu ni ijan we esi; omo elega arisagba.eru ko sagba nibe arija ayaba,ari sagba arija olori.
IJELU EKITI
Ijelu mojo omo olodi atalemo, omo alayuwa ajoji ko wese, ajoji koba wese adoni ebo lulera lono ije.
Ijelu mojo omo olodi atalemo, omo alayuwa ajoji ko wese, ajoji koba wese adoni ebo lulera lono ije.
IJERO EKITI
Omo owa Omo ekun, omo ejio omo oriomu,omo olose meji takotabo,omo amomohoko toutobo udi re.
Omo owa Omo ekun, omo ejio omo oriomu,omo olose meji takotabo,omo amomohoko toutobo udi re.
IJESA-ISU EKITI
Omo ijesamodu,omo eleni ewele,omo ameo usu dahun se,omo a woro labe usu yaa gbe lolo odikeji,omo ikaka i so'su diro diro loke amu,omo a muda silemogun erun pani.omo agbagba roke orire yaa lu, omo ehon kitipa ona 'jesa kii'jesa moja kii'jesa modeyo, laka ule ra lona.
Omo ijesamodu,omo eleni ewele,omo ameo usu dahun se,omo a woro labe usu yaa gbe lolo odikeji,omo ikaka i so'su diro diro loke amu,omo a muda silemogun erun pani.omo agbagba roke orire yaa lu, omo ehon kitipa ona 'jesa kii'jesa moja kii'jesa modeyo, laka ule ra lona.
IJURIN EKITI
Ijurin moje! Omo alaran ojiji, omo amuda sile mogun enu pani, akuku beni lori ya jogun enu lule ijurin omoagbara sa yaya lori eguru.
Ijurin moje! Omo alaran ojiji, omo amuda sile mogun enu pani, akuku beni lori ya jogun enu lule ijurin omoagbara sa yaya lori eguru.
IKERE EKITI
Omo oloke meji takotabo, omo aba gbami eye gbami, agbagba fiafia alapa faari, omo oju kee boju leru omo eleo jeun ree omo ekun omo erukuluji, omo ukere kete oniyan ana olosunta orun ukere orole baba oke.
Omo oloke meji takotabo, omo aba gbami eye gbami, agbagba fiafia alapa faari, omo oju kee boju leru omo eleo jeun ree omo ekun omo erukuluji, omo ukere kete oniyan ana olosunta orun ukere orole baba oke.
IKOGOSI EKITI
Omo olomi meji, gbigbona ati titu.. nibi o tipade.
Omo olomi meji, gbigbona ati titu.. nibi o tipade.
IKOLE EKITI
Elekole o balaya aso, Ikole to tala bose, e i sepe hon run ma so se, eshi idale ti a ni, Ikole lomo olose meji gbarimi rimi kan le. Ikole run ma aso se kin tala mo sha; atala bose, keru ba adiye funfun.
Elekole o balaya aso, Ikole to tala bose, e i sepe hon run ma so se, eshi idale ti a ni, Ikole lomo olose meji gbarimi rimi kan le. Ikole run ma aso se kin tala mo sha; atala bose, keru ba adiye funfun.
IKORO EKITI
Omo eso obe so ikoro mudapariko omo eruku yoyo onah obe yajogun enun lobe ooooo, ireke aragan idun bi ogan iyo, ireke aragan idun bi oyinmomo.
Omo eso obe so ikoro mudapariko omo eruku yoyo onah obe yajogun enun lobe ooooo, ireke aragan idun bi ogan iyo, ireke aragan idun bi oyinmomo.
IKUN EKITI
Emi lomo ikun amure,omo elero mumu ona oja,omo abeja i se wotowoto enu asoro.
Emi lomo ikun amure,omo elero mumu ona oja,omo abeja i se wotowoto enu asoro.
ILAWE EKITI
Omo alawe ko tori wiwe ko makuro soja,ko wi kun naja-naja kun bomi a lura lona Awe.
Omo alawe ko tori wiwe ko makuro soja,ko wi kun naja-naja kun bomi a lura lona Awe.
ILOGBO EKITI
Ilogbo okere,abewe usu gbagangbagan.
Ilogbo okere,abewe usu gbagangbagan.
ILORO EKITI
Omo oloro erijugbin Ari jugbin ranje mu karahun muni, omo olotorojo nse ori opalele.
Omo oloro erijugbin Ari jugbin ranje mu karahun muni, omo olotorojo nse ori opalele.
ILUKUNO EKITI
Ilukuno ose omo a min ranyin bi ogo iyo.
Ilukuno ose omo a min ranyin bi ogo iyo.
ILUPEJU EKITI
Ulupeju la me a, Omo Eso ooruta merun wese,Omo Oke lila ti moto layaa, omo egiri oke arogunse bi ega.
Ulupeju la me a, Omo Eso ooruta merun wese,Omo Oke lila ti moto layaa, omo egiri oke arogunse bi ega.
IPAO EKITI
Ipao ileji ogbe omo amugbo sodi orogba omo onile imole ajeji kowo ajeji toba fipawobe laimepo laimuyo ammebose.
Ipao ileji ogbe omo amugbo sodi orogba omo onile imole ajeji kowo ajeji toba fipawobe laimepo laimuyo ammebose.
IPOLE ILORO EKITI
Ipole omo asewi leremeta kale to le.
Ipole omo asewi leremeta kale to le.
IPOTI EKITI
Upoti ala, omo amewe eni j'iyan, awa lomo eleniewele,omo amekuru jeko.
Upoti ala, omo amewe eni j'iyan, awa lomo eleniewele,omo amekuru jeko.
IRE EKITI
Iremogun omo awuse, omo owu ti n wuko gbinrin-gbinrinlagbede. N ba tete waye omo enimeta ni n bamaa se, n ba jomo, , n ba jomo alakara maa ma roun fi wan enun, n tun jomo alagbede ma finanloju-finanle masagban isale woriwori.
Iremogun omo awuse, omo owu ti n wuko gbinrin-gbinrinlagbede. N ba tete waye omo enimeta ni n bamaa se, n ba jomo, , n ba jomo alakara maa ma roun fi wan enun, n tun jomo alagbede ma finanloju-finanle masagban isale woriwori.
IRO EKITI
Uro adidi,omo amugbayeo.
Uro adidi,omo amugbayeo.
IROPORA EKITI
Iropora ajija emure ule ewa ubi kan sewa iyun.
Iropora ajija emure ule ewa ubi kan sewa iyun.
ISAN EKITI
Isan moge, omo asote monru, oloro agogo, omoamuda sile mogun erun pani.omo owa omo ekun omo olodi,odi re atile mo,ooni ke mo rin un modi mo omo elepa omo awo.
Isan moge, omo asote monru, oloro agogo, omoamuda sile mogun erun pani.omo owa omo ekun omo olodi,odi re atile mo,ooni ke mo rin un modi mo omo elepa omo awo.
ISAOYE EKITI
Isaoye akoko alakoko ororo giro omo amugba buwo.
Isaoye akoko alakoko ororo giro omo amugba buwo.
ISE-EKITI
Omo Akin je'Efon. Omo a gbure Agudugbu s'oju odi k'ari j'Efon Use ya yan. Ugbo kan mo'sii si kan si d'Use, a mo foo oun le iijugbo Aje a l'Use. Adabalukosi lo ba loriigi l'oja Odo, kan p'ugba Ode jo. Oni mo tita libe, o ta ogun ifon. A ri mo tita libe, o t'oji akofa. Ugbogbo kukuruku la gbogi l'oja odo, k'Adabalukosi fo lo, Emi omo ogidan,o gun mo gara, Omo at'eran mo ta'ho.
Omo Akin je'Efon. Omo a gbure Agudugbu s'oju odi k'ari j'Efon Use ya yan. Ugbo kan mo'sii si kan si d'Use, a mo foo oun le iijugbo Aje a l'Use. Adabalukosi lo ba loriigi l'oja Odo, kan p'ugba Ode jo. Oni mo tita libe, o ta ogun ifon. A ri mo tita libe, o t'oji akofa. Ugbogbo kukuruku la gbogi l'oja odo, k'Adabalukosi fo lo, Emi omo ogidan,o gun mo gara, Omo at'eran mo ta'ho.
ISINBODE EKITI
Isin obi omo olobedu woroworo,obe kan seke kute ule jerun omo oni simi.
Isin obi omo olobedu woroworo,obe kan seke kute ule jerun omo oni simi.
ITAJI EKITI
Omo Itaji òpó kìtìpà léyìn Èkìtì, mii k'opo ma ja kíEkiti mó dêyô, Èwí í bèmí ùdì, Ônítâjî í bèmí èsûn'sû ôkô, Èwímí yoo jùdì, Ônítâjî mí yoo mó ó jóná, un i kôsé ôlójà méjì màá bá tùbá mi Ônítâjî â lô.
Omo Itaji òpó kìtìpà léyìn Èkìtì, mii k'opo ma ja kíEkiti mó dêyô, Èwí í bèmí ùdì, Ônítâjî í bèmí èsûn'sû ôkô, Èwímí yoo jùdì, Ônítâjî mí yoo mó ó jóná, un i kôsé ôlójà méjì màá bá tùbá mi Ônítâjî â lô.
ITAPA EKITI
Eso oruta ejiri oke,omo onimeya ule meya oko,omo asibeota yayinyo.
Eso oruta ejiri oke,omo onimeya ule meya oko,omo asibeota yayinyo.
IWOROKO EKITI
Ihoroko de ile ouro ile ouro omolore la me ia ogun i pa ihoroko omo aroloyen.
Ihoroko de ile ouro ile ouro omolore la me ia ogun i pa ihoroko omo aroloyen.
IYE EKITI
Omo alagere kijipa suko firi ona, omo oloke meji tako tabo.
Omo alagere kijipa suko firi ona, omo oloke meji tako tabo.
IYEMERO EKITI
OMO ni sedo ewa,omo ori mogun je,awa lomo awo foo sise..ofi omo foko to n ti kini abere, Omo onihun didun lodo di.
OMO ni sedo ewa,omo ori mogun je,awa lomo awo foo sise..ofi omo foko to n ti kini abere, Omo onihun didun lodo di.
IYIN EKITI
Awa lomo eso orita Egirioke. Uyin logun Uyin lota. Ulu kan rije rimu tan ke i deni lora; Omo alaede.
Awa lomo eso orita Egirioke. Uyin logun Uyin lota. Ulu kan rije rimu tan ke i deni lora; Omo alaede.
KOTA EKITI
Omo Elekota ogunroyin soye, agun soye bi oyinbo. Omo oriire d'ade.
Omo Elekota ogunroyin soye, agun soye bi oyinbo. Omo oriire d'ade.
ODOOWA EKITI
Omo eleni ewele,omo oke lila ti moto laya, olegin lodoyin ololua lode udogun. omo abu oba ma se, omoala ideu,omo egin,omo epa, omo otokorojo sori opa lelele.
Omo eleni ewele,omo oke lila ti moto laya, olegin lodoyin ololua lode udogun. omo abu oba ma se, omoala ideu,omo egin,omo epa, omo otokorojo sori opa lelele.
OGOTUN EKITI
Omo ologotun ojorube, omo eleni ateeka,omo eleni ewele,omo amuru ekun sere nibuje,Eja gbogbo dade,towena dade akun.
Omo ologotun ojorube, omo eleni ateeka,omo eleni ewele,omo amuru ekun sere nibuje,Eja gbogbo dade,towena dade akun.
OKE-AYEDUN EKITI
Omo adagbalu, omo adelila pa.
Omo adagbalu, omo adelila pa.
OKE-ORO EKITI
Omo alaure ladao para seji,omo alaure san yaya gunta. Omo amekikun modi,omo alaure la Okeoro paraseji aka kan tolokore,okan re ti apetu.
Omo alaure ladao para seji,omo alaure san yaya gunta. Omo amekikun modi,omo alaure la Okeoro paraseji aka kan tolokore,okan re ti apetu.
OKEMESI EKITI
Omo oloja oke ni di ogun,omo fabunmi orara lada. omo afaganja omo arogun yo. omo oke agbonna,omo oke ludi ogun atiri ogun.
Omo oloja oke ni di ogun,omo fabunmi orara lada. omo afaganja omo arogun yo. omo oke agbonna,omo oke ludi ogun atiri ogun.
OMU EKITI
Omo olomu aperan omo oloro,Agogo omo amuda sile mogun erun pani akuku beni lori san jogun erun lo lona omu.
Omo olomu aperan omo oloro,Agogo omo amuda sile mogun erun pani akuku beni lori san jogun erun lo lona omu.
OMUO EKITI
Omo eleye meta oro kashakasha, iko ina, iko oorun, iko koku osupa a tani yayaya, Omo olomuo kerejekereje omuo ore.
Omo eleye meta oro kashakasha, iko ina, iko oorun, iko koku osupa a tani yayaya, Omo olomuo kerejekereje omuo ore.
OMUOOKE EKITI
Omo Olomi Ajire,omo alaroju ja ka, omo gbo gbo bi oro, omo o ba ma aja je tan o a ga ro bo ruu n oo,omo eleye meta o roo ka ta ka ta,meta la pa, meta la un la.
Omo Olomi Ajire,omo alaroju ja ka, omo gbo gbo bi oro, omo o ba ma aja je tan o a ga ro bo ruu n oo,omo eleye meta o roo ka ta ka ta,meta la pa, meta la un la.
ORA EKITI
Omo Olora airijuru ugba, arijuru lora mo yogiri sapo.
Omo Olora airijuru ugba, arijuru lora mo yogiri sapo.
ORIN EKITI
Omo elero ajeja sanra ero sapodi supepe ero kun derun latete eru ibudo.
Omo elero ajeja sanra ero sapodi supepe ero kun derun latete eru ibudo.
ORUN EKITI
Omo apariko odu ule aro omo ologba arin ko okoroti kion ti moni, ire joba lopoto o orire se ki moba sale ayare,awelejo mo ri lo sagbala yaa senu sogini miki weise libe nii meise ori re meise agbon re.
Omo apariko odu ule aro omo ologba arin ko okoroti kion ti moni, ire joba lopoto o orire se ki moba sale ayare,awelejo mo ri lo sagbala yaa senu sogini miki weise libe nii meise ori re meise agbon re.
OSAN EKITI
Omo olosan mojo,olosan abedu omo inu odi, omo olosan mojo, omo arowora mo ra hin, omo aladodo,awo gbeseti lodo atiba, omo aforosinu bo atare lowo, omo amebi sinu ko nje.
Omo olosan mojo,olosan abedu omo inu odi, omo olosan mojo, omo arowora mo ra hin, omo aladodo,awo gbeseti lodo atiba, omo aforosinu bo atare lowo, omo amebi sinu ko nje.
OSI EKITI
Osi asise omo elegberin uwo, omo a meruko ude ba Ooni sala (agbe) ale, omo a muda sile m'ogun enu pa'ni, akuku be lori moyajogunenulo,omo olosimefu, omo afiju agbere suaa omo ameruko oko boonin sagbe ale, olumonle meji werewere.
Osi asise omo elegberin uwo, omo a meruko ude ba Ooni sala (agbe) ale, omo a muda sile m'ogun enu pa'ni, akuku be lori moyajogunenulo,omo olosimefu, omo afiju agbere suaa omo ameruko oko boonin sagbe ale, olumonle meji werewere.
OSUN EKITI
Omo olosun bipesi riro, omo Olosun ri tanna ode, Osun mokun Ijunmu, Omo Ajiboye.
Omo olosun bipesi riro, omo Olosun ri tanna ode, Osun mokun Ijunmu, Omo Ajiboye.
OTUN EKITI
Otunmoba, Omo enireke agbejo; omo olodi atile mo, Omo Ireke Aragan Idun TunMayan Idun, Ireke Ria Idun Booyinmonmon, Omo Oloro An Se, Keran Mon Je, Kaaguntan Mon Je, OtunMoba Osere Omo Akinla Lotun, Omo Olorogbo Kiji Lotun.
Otunmoba, Omo enireke agbejo; omo olodi atile mo, Omo Ireke Aragan Idun TunMayan Idun, Ireke Ria Idun Booyinmonmon, Omo Oloro An Se, Keran Mon Je, Kaaguntan Mon Je, OtunMoba Osere Omo Akinla Lotun, Omo Olorogbo Kiji Lotun.
OYE EKITI
Omoloye morauife, kei tana osi gangan,mo asorosiku otutu si, omo alago ajilu gboin gboin nijo ose.
Omoloye morauife, kei tana osi gangan,mo asorosiku otutu si, omo alago ajilu gboin gboin nijo ose.
TEMIDIRE EKITI
Omo onisopo omo oloke agunmootadi omo agesiwonwon boko.
Omo onisopo omo oloke agunmootadi omo agesiwonwon boko.
USI EKITI
Usi oro, omo atoko bo mohun sibi kan ni.
Usi oro, omo atoko bo mohun sibi kan ni.
USIN EKITI
Omo aoyo yo oni gbo, gbo ti n ti eyin eku
Omo aoyo yo oni gbo, gbo ti n ti eyin eku
VERDICT: EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
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VERDICT - APC Ekiti 2018: State Of The Race
The die is cast for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled to hold this week's Saturday, 14th July, 2018. Correspondent, Odunayo Ogunmola, in this report, examines the state of the race, local government by local government and reports on other dynamics that will shape the contest.
The attention of the world will be focused on Ekiti State on 14th July, 2018 as the people of the state go to the polls to elect a new governor.
The tenure of the outgoing governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expires on 15th October, 2018, since he took the oath of office on 16th October, 2014.
In the last governorship poll, conducted on 21st June, 2014, Fayose of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the then incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fayose, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, has he taken oath of office two times (2003 and 2014), hopes to hand over to his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.
Olusola emerged as the PDP candidate at a primary election conducted on 8th May, 2018 and has been handed the party’s flag at a mega rally held on 5th July, 2018.
On the other hand, Fayemi defeated a strong field of 33 aspirants to emerge as the APC candidate at a keenly contested primary held on 12th May, 2018.
The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, who is taking a second shot at the governorship seat, lost in the 2014 poll.
Will Fayose succeed in installing a successor, a feat no outgoing governor had managed to achieve since return to democracy in 1999?
Will Fayemi, on the other hand, stop Fayose from achieving the record by staging his own comeback to power?
It must be stated that the two major political parties, the ruling PDP and the main opposition APC have the capacity to win the coveted governorship crown.
They have the reach, presence, structures, resources, manpower and members in all the 16 local government areas of the state.
Some analysts said the other political parties are there just to make up the number as some of them sprang up few months to the election while others were merely used as platforms to contest by aspirants who failed in other parties.
While the PDP enjoys power of incumbency at the state level, the APC which is angling to force its way into the Government House again, is enjoying the backing of the Federal Government seemingly determined to add Ekiti to the number of states it controls.
Ekiti State is divided into three senatorial districts: Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South and 16 local government areas.
Ekiti North and Ekiti Central have five local government areas each while Ekiti South has six local government areas.
The local government areas in Ekiti North are Moba (11 wards), Ido/Osi, (11 wards) Ilejemeje (10 wards), Oye (12 wards) and Ikole (12wards).
Ado (13 wards), Irepodun/Ifelodun (11 wards), Ekiti West (11 wards), Ijero (12 wards) and Efon (10 wards) are in Ekiti Central. Ekiti South is made up of Ekiti Southwest (11 wards), Ikere (11 wards), Ise/Orun (10 wards), Emure (10 wards), Gbonyin (10 wards) and Ekiti East (12 wards).
Votes are up for grabs in total number of 177 wards and 2,195 polling units. Total number of registered voters in the state is 913,334.
Out of the 913, 334 voters who had registered, 630,000 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as of Wednesday, July 4.
The electorate in Ekiti State are highly unpredictable in terms of voting pattern as factors that determine who wins include candidates’ personality and acceptability, party strength, support of critical segments of the population, policies of the government in power, manifestos of the parties seeking to upstage it and of course, parties’ financial war chest.
Although the issue of zoning cropped up in the run-up to the party primaries, the Ekiti electorates always look for candidates that are charismatic and have mass appeal.
It appears the trend is changing in favour of APC and Fayemi owing to many factors; chief of which is low morale among workers who are enduring unprecedented suffering in the history of the state.
Core civil servants and secondary school teachers are owed four month arrears, local government workers and primary school teachers seven months and workers in government tertiary institutions seven months.
Pensioners are owed eight month arrears of monthly benefits while the present government had not paid any gratuity since it came to power in 2014.
The issue of how financial reliefs from the Federal Government in terms of two tranches of bailout funds, Paris Club refund and Budget Support Fund were expended still left many wondering why the arrears had not been cleared.
A good number of workers and retirees died over hardship occasioned by the non-payment of their entitlements since the PDP government came to power.
A civil servant recently described owing workers arrears deep into election period a “political suicide and poisoned chalice” which any reasonable government hoping to retain power must avoid.
Another factor working in favour of the APC is the support it will enjoy from the Federal Government in terms of deployment of instruments of coercion, resources and personnel.
Many believe that support from the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency played a pivotal role in swinging victory in Fayose’s favour in 2014.
Political pundits believe that the support enjoyed from the Presidency by the PDP in 2014 will be enjoyed by the APC in 2018.
Massive defections of prominent members and leaders that have been hitting the PDP, including serving members of the National Assembly, continued very close to the election.
Defection of key PDP members from Ado and Ikere to the APC is not a good omen for the ruling party in the state while other senior PDP members had left for other parties, leaving PDP emaciated.
But it seems APC should not go to sleep believing all is done and dusted as the PDP cannot be underestimated, given Fayose’s political sagacity.
Despite the loss of many party members and supporters to the opposition, Fayose and by extension, Olusola, still enjoys support of some segment of the population like artisans, commercial motorcycle association, a section of the drivers’ unions.
WHO’S AHEAD?
The two major parties, the ruling PDP and the opposition APC have structures in all the wards and local government areas. They have some party chieftains they are relying upon in their respective localities to swing victory in their favour on July 14. However, it must be noted that the projections below are subject to changes in the dynamics of politics as the game is highly unpredictable.
•ADO LG
Personalities expected to work for PDP victory at the poll include former Ado Local Government Chairman and deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Deji Ogunsakin, current council chairman, Mr. Clement Bamisile; House of Assembly member representing Ado 1, Mr. Musa Arogundade; Assembly member representing Ado 2, Mr. Tope Fasanmi; SUBEB Chairman, Senator Bode Ola; and two former council chairmen, Mrs. Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko and Mr. Taye Fasuba.
APC gladiators in the state capital include deputy governorship candidate, former council chairman, former commissioner and now deputy governorship candidate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; former deputy governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; former National Assembly member, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; former commissioner, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu; oil magnate, Chief Remi Oguntuase; former presidential aide, Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju; former NULGE President, Chief Oluyemi Esan; two former Assembly members, Mr. Tope Olanipekun and Mr. Edu Mayokun, former Sports Council Chairman, Mr. Ade Adetola; two former LG secretaries, Mr. Fatai Adeyemi and Mr. Odunayo Talabi, who had just joined from PDP.
The votes of Ado are unpredictable and they can go either way owing to the fact that it is a densely populated city with non-indigenes outnumbering indigenes.
Verdict: battle ground
•IKERE LG
Some PDP chieftains in Ikere include the deputy governor and PDP flag bearer, Olusola; House of Assembly member representing Ikere 1, Mr. Wale Ayeni; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Olayinka Ogundayomi; current Ikere LG chairman, Mr. Aderemi Ayeni; former LG chairman, Mr. Ola Alonge.
Ikere is the hometown of the PDP governorship candidate and naturally he should win his base. But there are concerns about division in the town, which could affect Olusola. The town has three other governorship candidates among who are two former governors vying on the platform of other parties. They are Chief Adebisi Omoyeni of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) and Chief Abiodun Aluko of Accord. Two of them left PDP over the crisis that trailed the alleged imposition of Olusola by Fayose before the primary was conducted. A young candidate, Mr. Tosin Ajibare of Independent Democrats (ID) is also vying for governorship. The votes to be raked in by other aspirants who have their supporters in the town could whittle down Olusola’s votes and this may work in favour of APC which is making inroads in the community. APC ‘warriors’ in Ikere include seven governorship aspirants: Dr. Wole Oluyede, Chief Sesan Fatoba, Mr. Kola Alabi, Barr. Olowo Ajayi, Otunba Bisi Aloba and Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua.
Others include former old Ondo State Governor, Bamidele Olumilua and new entrant to APC and House of Assembly member representing, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi.
Verdict: PDP
•IDO/OSI LG
PDP has won consistently in this council area since 1999 but the winning streak appears to be under threat for the first time in 19 years. This is because many of those who made it happen for PDP in the past had quit the party. They include former Governor Segun Oni, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, who has moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Other former PDP members now in APC camp include former council chairman, Mr. Yomi Ayorinde; former Director General of Micro Credit Agency, Mr. Cyril Fasuyi. APC chieftains in the area include former House of Assembly Deputy
Speaker, Chief Adetunji Orisalade; former SUBEB Chairman, Prince Akintade Olayisade and former council chairman, Pastor Gbenga Agbeyo.
The PDP gladiators in the area include Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade; House of Representatives member for Ido/Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency, Mr. Thaddeus Aina; House of Assembly member for Ido/Osi 1; Mr. Jacob Olayode; House of Assembly member for Ido/Osi 2, Mr. Abiola Jeje and Commissioner for Works, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun.
Verdict: APC
•MOBA LG
This local government used to be a progressives stronghold but it went to the PDP in the 2014 election. It will be a straight fight this time around. Olusola is depending on House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Kola Oluwawole; House of Assembly member for Moba 2, Mr. Badejo Anifowose and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi. Resisting PDP challenge are APC chieftains including former Assembly member Mr. Olajide Olaniyi; former Moba LG chairman, Mr. David Olusoga; former Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Mr. Ibrahim Olanrewaju and a veteran politician, Chief Michael Atejioye.
Verdict: APC
•ILEJEMEJE LG
PDP chieftains in this area include the Senator representing Ekiti North, Duro Faseyi, House of Assembly member for Ilejemeje, Mrs. Cecilia Dada and LG Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Oladipupo. On the APC side are Afenifere chieftain and Second Republic Senator, Chief Ayo Fasanmi; former Assembly member, Mr. Segun Erinle; former LG Chairman, Prince Adegoroye Bamigboye and former commissioner, Mr. Folorunso Olabode.
Verdict: APC
•EKITI EAST LG
PDP top notchers are Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi; House of Assembly member for Ekiti East 1, Mr. Ojo Ade Fajana; Assembly member for Ekiti East 2, Mr. Dare Pelemo; former Assembly member, Mr. Dele Ajibola and Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Taelolu Otitoju.
APC chieftains working to deliver the area to their party include former Speaker, Mr. Femi Bamisile; former commissioner, Mr. Apalara Wole-Adewumi; former Assembly member/council chairman, Mr. Rotimi Ajidara; former Assembly members, Mr. Akinloye Akinyemi and Mr. Gbenga Falaye.
Verdict: Battleground
•EKITI WEST LG
This local government is up for grabs and can go either way. Leading the fight for PDP is House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr. Sina Animasaun; former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Olusegun Adewumi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Kehinde Odebunmi; current LG chairman, Mr. Francis Ayodele and his predecessor, Mr. Kolawole Omotunde.
APC bigwigs expected to be on the field for their party include State Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe; former Assembly member, Mr. Gbenga Odebunmi; former Assembly member, Mr. Kayode Fasakin; former LG Chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu and former Attorney General, Mr. Wale Fapohunda.
Verdict: APC
•EKITI SOUTHWEST LG
APC received many PDP members into its fold which may be the deciding factor. Fayemi’s foot soldiers in this council area include former Chief of Staff, Yemi Adaramodu; former Assembly member, Tope Agidi; former LG chairman, Mr. Genge Kola; another former LG chairman, Dr. Azeez Olaniyan; former Commissioner, Chief Oluwole Ariyo; former Assembly member, Mr. Amire Kolade; former Special Assistant (Media) to Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle, former ministerial aide, Mr. Makinde Araoye and Mr. Yemi Alatise.
On the PDP side are current LG chairman, Mr. Lanre Omolase; House of Assembly member for Ekiti Southwest 1; Mr. Wale Onigiobi; Assembly member for Ekiti West 2, Mr. Michael Adedeji; Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jide Egunjobi and Alhaji Gani Bankole.
Verdict: APC
•IKOLE LG
Former Deputy Governor, Chief Paul Alabi; House of Representatives member, Mr. Kehinde Agboola leads Fayose’s foot soldiers which include House of Assembly member for Ikole 2, Mrs. Titi Owolabi; current LG Chairman, Mrs. Abiola Olukayode and Commissioner for Public Utilities, Chief Tunde Ogunleye.
APC stalwarts expected to make difference include House of Assembly Minority Leader, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan; former Assembly member, Chief Adebayo Morakinyo; former Civil Service Commission Chairman, Alhaji Afolabi Ogunlayi; former Special Adviser, Chief Biodun Akin Fasae; former Pension Board Commissioner, Chief Segun Ajibulu, Mrs. Moji Fafure and Mr. Samuel Abejide.
Verdict: APC
•IREPODUN/IFELODUN LG
This is local government area is the home base of Governor Ayo Fayose and former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo. Fayose will do everything possible to win while Adebayo and his troops will also want to win it for their party. Backing Fayose is his Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, Assembly member for Irepodun/Ifelodun 1, Mr. Posi Omodara; Assembly member for Irepodun/Ifelodun 2, Mr. Sanya Aladeyelu; current LG chairman, Mr. Dapo Olagunju and former envoy, Amb. Toye Olofintuyi.
Following Adebayo into the battle are former House of Representatives member, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele; Ambassador to Hungary, Dr. Eniola Ajayi; former LG chairman, Mr. Toba Adaramola; former Assembly member, Mr. Ayodeji Odu; APC Publicity Secretary, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun; the Jamiu brothers, Mojeed and Hakeem.
Verdict: Battleground
•IJERO LG
This is a PDP zone but defection of many members has weakened the party. Former Assembly Majority Leader, Mr. Lai Oke and Mrs. Yemisi Afolabi are leading the PDP fight. But APC members determined to win the area include former Assembly Chief Whip, Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola; former governorship aspirant, Mr. Kayode Ojo; former Commissioner, Mr. Dapo Kolawole, Chief Femi Oyebanjo and former LG Chairman, Mr. Ojo Atibioke.
Verdict: APC
•EFON LG
Fayose’s henchmen are led by Director General of Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation, Chief Bisi Kolawole; current House of Assembly member, Mr. Afolabi Akanni and former LG chairman, Chief Idowu Akinyele. Working to deliver for APC are former Executive Secretary of PPPRA/PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye; former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Oladapo Karonwi; former Assembly member, Mr. Folorunso Ogundele; former Commissioner, Prof. Adio Folayan; former governorship aspirant, Mr. Victor Kolade, serving House of Reps member who recently defected from PDP, Mr. Olamide Oni and former Commissioner, Mrs. Ronke Okusanya.
Verdict: APC
•EMURE LG
Party chieftains of note have defected from the PDP leaving the current Attorney General, Mr. Kolapo Kolade as the arrowhead of Fayose’s army. But the APC parades tested politicians like former Assembly member, Mr. Febisola Adewale; another former Assembly member, Mr. Boluwade Kehinde; former Commissioners, Chief Dele Okeya and Mr. Debo Ajayi.
Verdict: APC
•ISE/ORUN LG
This has been a PDP stronghold since 1999 but the trend is expected to change in the forthcoming poll. Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo, former Attorney General, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi and current Assembly member, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada led key PDP members and leaders to APC leaving their former party highly weakened to mount a serious challenge. They will work with other APC chieftains they met in the party including Mr. Femi Ajayi and Mrs. Remi Ajayi to deliver the council area to APC.
Verdict: APC
•GBONYIN LG
The PDP troops are led by former Acting Governor/Speaker, Mr. Olatunji Odeyemi; House of Reps member representing Gbonyin/Emure/Ekiti East, Mr. Akin Awodumila; current SUBEB Commissioner, Mrs. Sade Akinrinmola; current LG Chairman, Mr. Tope Ogidi and current Assembly member, Mr. Ayodele Fajemilehin. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to withstand the firepower of APC chieftains including former Senate Minority Whip, Senator Gbenga Aluko; former House of Reps member and Deputy Director General of Fayemi Campaign, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi; former governorship aspirant, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi; former House of Reps member, Chief Aderemi Ajayi; former PDP state chairman, Chief Ropo Adesanya; former Commissioner, Mr. Paul Omotoso and former LG chairmen, Mr Femi Awe and Mr. Paul Abegunde; former Local Government Service Commissioner, Folu Ibirinde and Fayemi campaign spokesman, Mr. Wole Olujobi.
Verdict: APC
•OYE LG
This is Fayemi’s home base and he will be complemented by party stalwarts such as Senator Ayo Arise, former House of Reps member, Mr. Bimbo Daramola; former Assembly member, Mr. Sunday Adunmo; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Gani Owolabi; former Assembly member for Oye 1, Mr. Ade Ajayi; former governorship aspirant, Dr (Mrs.) Mojisola Yaya-Kolade; senatorial aspirant, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu and former Oye Council chairman, Mr. Bamitale Oguntoyinbo.
The PDP gladiators are led by the House of Assembly member representing Oye 1, Dr. Samuel Omotoso; his counterpart in Oye 2, Mr. Tunji Akinyele; Oye LG Chairman, Mr. Sunday Alonge.
Verdict: APC
By
Seye Adetunmbi
Those that have joined active partisan politics must have seen that there may be hardly a limit to how far anyone with some kind of a structured backing can go when it comes to being elected to office in Nigeria of today. The stakes are higher from state to the federal level, depending on the office you are running for. The same thing applies to some private sector businesses and securing breakthrough jobs and contracts.
Anyone following the politics of Ekiti-State particularly the forthcoming governorship election of July 14th 2108 might have noticed that nobody is talking about any other political party in Ekitipanupo apart from the APC and PDP candidates? Because everybody knows that the contest is about the two front-line political parties as at today. The multiparty system is a deliberate ploy to cause confusion in the polity and a ready tool to perpetuate the divide and rule syndrome when the political power of the small ruling clique is threatened. This is why some mushroom political parties are sponsored by the big ones to cause offset in the system whenever the need arises.
I have written in the past that it will take a true omoluabi and grace of God not to misbehave when you occupy the seat of a governor and president in Nigeria of today. How they get to office from primary election to the real thing is fraught with all kinds of intrigues and shades of money are involved. By implication, the governor or president is already in a fix over obligations to various commitments upfront.
Both delegates approach and direct primary are prone to manipulation. In a nation where the accurate population of the citizens is not known, how are they going to have a trusted register of party members? It is not likely, most especially when it is a deliberate ploy to operate a system that can be manipulated.
Who were the people doing oselu before things nose dived? Royal fathers, farmers, teachers, school principals, business men etc. They were funding the political parties themselves most of them have second addresses and went back to their respective primary callings after political expedition. But what do we have today, unemployed people and those who want to use politics to amass wealth, dominate the terrain and they are ready to do anything to have their way.
The majority of party members today don’t pay membership fees, they expect those who run for offices to bear all the financial responsibilities. There is this signature statement of Akaraogigun in his post to Ekitipanupo on anyone feeding fat on his oppressor should forget about freedom. There we have it on those who constitute party members at the lowest deck.
How can we expect delegates or party members to go and vote without collecting money or find a way to exploit aspirants? They see how the life of people in government and their political leaders/dealers had changed in term of material acquisitions when their party is in charge! There are no drugs in the general hospitals, no portable water to use, to get good education for their children they have to pay a lot money which they don’t have and they can see top civil servants cornering every juicy opportunity that evolves in their ministry.
One can go on and on. As they say in Lagos, “ta lo wa wo bridge l’Eko”? Problem arises with the process we operate when it is copied from an environment where poverty has been overcome by majority of the populace.
What are ways forward?
1. Government should do their part by bringing corruption to the barest minimum such that those things that make people to cut corners unnecessarily will be brought to the barest minimum.
2. Complete overhaul of the Nigerian system and structure becomes expedient. This will include making joining politics unattractive for the majority that dominate the space now.
3. Respond to the yearning for the restructuring of Nigeria.
In conclusion, there must be a common resolve among the privileged elitist few ruling us that “enough is enough”, we want to do it right and get it right. Until Nigerians can process bail without bribing the police; citizens can process driving license and international passport or renew them without much fuss; people’s votes actually count in the elections and whoever steals from government is prosecuted conclusively with dispatch irrespective of the political party the person belongs, we should not expect a party primary election that all well meaning people would be proud of in Nigeria.
EKITI PEOPLE DECIDE ON THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
EXTRACTS FROM EKITIPANUPO DELIBERATIONS ON THE 14TH JULY 2018 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN EKITI
Okan Seye Adetunmbi’s Comments:
On Negative People
“Abinu oni, elilo e ran” is the old adage of our elders in Ekiti.
Keep bringing out the facts. JKF team must not give up because of those who may not know about the projects per community In Ekiti under the administration of Fayemi. Please reel out every good thing the man did between 2010 and 2014; it is not about convincing the sworn “elenini”, enemies and unrepentant detractors, but for posterity. “Nitoripe, aja orogun e gborire, osoru gb’elo.”
Reaction to Fabricated Inferences
Some people stay in the comfort of their homes to fabricate stories and whip sentiments that suit their fancies on Fayemi’s victory in the APC primary election.
Come with me on some aspects of the comment of an Ekitipanupo member.....
1. Who could have won the APC primary election on a platter of gold among the 33 aspirants and go ahead to win the governorship election proper at no cost? The inquiring minds would like to know.
2. Who led Yoruba or SW mainstream to team up with Buhari? I recall Dele Babatunde of blessed memory who advocated and counseled in Ekitipanupo that ACN should have remained as a strong political block in SW region and not dissolve into APC. Article of Opeyemi Agbaje on Afonja syndrome remains fresh in our minds on the political move of Jagaban.
3. When he was playing Rambo of Yoruba politics from his position of strength in Lagos spreading his tentacles, he was not bulkanising or eroding the influence of Osoba, Adebayo etc in their political base, “abi”? If the alliance with Buhari was not about BAT, why didn’t he promote Otunba to be VP when Muslim-Muslim ticket couldn’t fly?
4. What became of Afenifere that Tinubu used to have access to political power and huge financial resources in Lagos till today? Because a new set of political power block is evolving in Yoruba nation to replace “BAT emirate” using the word of the agent provocateur who wrote about backstabbing, in the same manner his structure overwhelmed Afenifereism!
5. The reality is that everybody is protecting his or her own political agenda, there is no common front for Yoruba nation anymore. As we can see, 33 governorship aspirants emerged in Ekiti APC. God for all, everyone for him/herself. “Igba kan de, igba kan lo; ile aiye wa titilai. Igba ni onigba nlo.“
6. I still cannot figure out why some people don’t want Fayemi to try his chance like others on second term! If had not joined the race with all the mines laid for him, it would have put an end to his political career because people would say it is the white paper that banned him and has accepted guilt.
7. Fayemi is not a Gambari or an Agatu nor a Fulani, he is a full fledged Ekiti man. If he wins the governorship election it is victory for Ekiti people and not any imaginary cabal.
8. It is very honorable for this who mean well for Ekiti to dwell more on how to make him be a better governor when given another chance, and not playing pull-him-down game.
9. We should also be talking about how Ekitipanupo can facilitate a healthy TV debate for the party flag bearers to tell the nation on what they will do differently from what we have seen so far that has not uplifted Ekiti State such that the electorate can vote wisely. Pose questions to the candidates on issues that are giving the people concern for the flag bearers to be upfront with the people they want to govern from their responses.
10. None of the SW APC leaders is more Yoruba than Fayemi nor will pursue the cause of Yoruba better than him. It is the losers that play the card of mischief through name calling to discredit a winning team. Ekiti people cannot be deceived; head or tail, they are the winner at the end of the day.
Ajuse o.
On Lies, Mischief Makers and Security
The political camp of JKF must be a step ahead of Oshoko camp to quench their propaganda and plans to trigger violence in anticipation of loss until the election is over.
Since Fayemi is the person to beat in the July 14 election, the oracle favors him to pick the trophy, PDP will want to “run-runse si” the election. Desperation becomes inevitable with collaboration with the “ageku ejo(s)” in APC.
Timely response to any lie or scheme against Fayemi is very important and necessary.
Also supporters of Fayemi and the principal himself need to extra security conscious this season. “Okere l’ubi a ti sele”; it won’t come near us.
Be at alert and prepared, JKF camp.
The truth will prevail
To those Playing Tinubu Card in Ekiti
Stop playing this imaginary Tinubu card in Ekiti politics. Oga Bola is smarter than all the people holding unsolicited briefs for him. For every state in Yoruba land that APC governs, it is to the credit of BAT it doesn’t matter if his preferred person didn’t get the ticket.
He is also a pragmatic politician who is wise and reasonable enough to know that “Igba ko lo bi orere. Aye nyi, a nto o. Igba kan lo, igba kan mbo.....eni kan o lo Ile aiye gbo”.
The losers should stop dragging his name to Ekiti politics, he can’t influence voting pattern of Ekiti people. Personally I find it irritating each time they keep disturbing the man by mentioning his name in Ekiti matter.
Whoever wants to win governorship election in Ekiti should go and campaign to the voters and reach out to all ranks of grassroot people and opinion leaders in the respective towns.
The Choice Before Ekiti People During the Governorship Election in July 2018
Every politics is local. Nobody or any non-indigene not resident in Ekiti will command the electorate to decide which direction the election will go in Ekiti of today. The farthest external influence/interference can go is to provide money to whoever anyone wants to support and we are all witnesses to the limitations of money when majority of the voters have made up their minds on who they will elect to office.
Factors that will determine the direction of election in Ekiti this July 14 include:
1. Neither police nor anyone will stop people coming from outside Ekiti-State that want to associate with the campaign of APC in Ekiti and Fayemi as the flag bearer.
2. Nobody will intimidate nor arrest the key supporters of Fayemi on election day and cause problem for party agents monitoring election for the party to be in disarray.
3. Fayemi is already reaching out to the aspirants that lost out to him in the primary election with visible positive responses from formidable and credible ones that have got value to add to the electioneering of Ekiti APC and ultimate victory of JKF at the polls.
4. Nobody will have sufficient ground to use any friction within APC to justify any sinister move to plot the failure of the party at the polls. If there is any party that has suffered collateral damage on the forthcoming election, it is PDP that the main opposition candidate of Eleka has gone join another party.
5. There is also the case of impoverished civil servants and other ranks of government workers and teachers that have not been paid their salaries for months in Ekiti among other issues that cannot be wished away on the quest for change. Ekiti is a case of the philosophical restless woman who has experimented the world of two contentious husbands and can discern better one now.
7. It is the teeming unemployed youths, peasants, poor artisans and the working class people in the private and government sectors that will vote and not those who remain in their cocoon doing permutations on the internet that suit their sentiments when they neither have voter’s card nor have any clout to influence their wards on who to vote and not to vote for in Ekiti.
8. 2014 scenario is different from today, more new voters have been added to the voters’ register. APC foot soldiers’ allegiance is to find their party in government again and majority of the supporters would rather pitch their camp with their flag bearer (even if their preferred candidate didn’t emerge) than sentence themselves to another 4 years of wildernesses where no crumbs will drop at all from the ruling party’s table.
9. APC has enough followers to defend the result of the election if their candidate emerges as the winner. All other things being equal, there will be no law enforcers and armed forces people to compromise the security of life and property from any attempt to cause unrest in Ekiti.
10. The era of demonizing one political party or candidate for the other is gone; at least that card cannot be played in this dispensation. Any political party that will win governorship seat in Ekiti must work hard for their candidate to go home with the trophy.
In all, no one should take anyone for granted or assume a walkover election. However, one good news that we cannot wish away is that there is none of the frontline party flag bearers that we as Ekiti people would be ashamed of if and when any of them emerges as the elected governor. Head or tail. Ekiti people is the winner. Whoever wants become governor should go for it.
Every politics is local. Nobody or any non-indigene not resident in Ekiti will command the electorate to decide which direction the election will go in Ekiti of today. The farthest external influence/interference can go is to provide money to whoever anyone wants to support and we are all witnesses to the limitations of money when majority of the voters have made up their minds on who they will elect to office.
Factors that will determine the direction of election in Ekiti this July 14 include:
1. Neither police nor anyone will stop people coming from outside Ekiti-State that want to associate with the campaign of APC in Ekiti and Fayemi as the flag bearer.
2. Nobody will intimidate nor arrest the key supporters of Fayemi on election day and cause problem for party agents monitoring election for the party to be in disarray.
3. Fayemi is already reaching out to the aspirants that lost out to him in the primary election with visible positive responses from formidable and credible ones that have got value to add to the electioneering of Ekiti APC and ultimate victory of JKF at the polls.
4. Nobody will have sufficient ground to use any friction within APC to justify any sinister move to plot the failure of the party at the polls. If there is any party that has suffered collateral damage on the forthcoming election, it is PDP that the main opposition candidate of Eleka has gone join another party.
5. There is also the case of impoverished civil servants and other ranks of government workers and teachers that have not been paid their salaries for months in Ekiti among other issues that cannot be wished away on the quest for change. Ekiti is a case of the philosophical restless woman who has experimented the world of two contentious husbands and can discern better one now.
7. It is the teeming unemployed youths, peasants, poor artisans and the working class people in the private and government sectors that will vote and not those who remain in their cocoon doing permutations on the internet that suit their sentiments when they neither have voter’s card nor have any clout to influence their wards on who to vote and not to vote for in Ekiti.
8. 2014 scenario is different from today, more new voters have been added to the voters’ register. APC foot soldiers’ allegiance is to find their party in government again and majority of the supporters would rather pitch their camp with their flag bearer (even if their preferred candidate didn’t emerge) than sentence themselves to another 4 years of wildernesses where no crumbs will drop at all from the ruling party’s table.
9. APC has enough followers to defend the result of the election if their candidate emerges as the winner. All other things being equal, there will be no law enforcers and armed forces people to compromise the security of life and property from any attempt to cause unrest in Ekiti.
10. The era of demonizing one political party or candidate for the other is gone; at least that card cannot be played in this dispensation. Any political party that will win governorship seat in Ekiti must work hard for their candidate to go home with the trophy.
In all, no one should take anyone for granted or assume a walkover election. However, one good news that we cannot wish away is that there is none of the frontline party flag bearers that we as Ekiti people would be ashamed of if and when any of them emerges as the elected governor. Head or tail. Ekiti people is the winner. Whoever wants become governor should go for it.
So that Ekiti People can Make Informed Decision
The minimum a well meaning intellectual forum can do is to lay all the facts on the table for the people to take informed decisions and the electorate to be adequately guided in their choices. Ekiti matter should not be a case of people that perish or retrogress due to lack of information and sufficient knowledge to do the right thing.
Everything can’t be politics. Also it should not be that some people don’t care if the status quo continues for as long as the face of the person they don’t want to see doesn’t get there even if the fellow is the best deal on the table now. Unhealthy intrigues that set us back as a state and people should stop. Ekiti must get it right and set good example for other states in the Yoruba nation to follow suit.
Arbitrariness in the way our people are governed should stop. This can only be achieved with an “omoluabi” in charge. Someone accessible that can be engaged constructively in a civil debate and made to see reason. We won’t make the attainable progress for as long as we have governors ruling and managing our affairs by impulse.
Ekiti is long due for a long-term development plan that the people will take ownership of and not an APC or PDP thing that the nomenclature and constituents may change anytime. A lasting indigenous socio-economic development plan that will be legislated should be the commission of the next and subsequent administrations that will govern Ekiti State.
K’oniyan a se ri ayiye osan l’ale ke wi ibaradidi ni un a mu; t’ori ilara at’orikikun? Ko ba je asasi l’oro un , o ye ka wi ori ra ko” God of deliverance will deliver Ekiti poor masses.
It is high time for Ekiti people to “gbon uya nu”!
Ajuse o
1
EKITIPANUPO INITIATIVE ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN EKITI
If the published financial status coupled with the way the affairs of the state is being managed is true, then any state that elects a candidate sponsored to continue the kind of record stated above is jinxed or doomed and the people don’t deserve pity from any quarter. Because it would mean a classical case of a deliberate plunging of themselves into an avoidable strife, untoward deprivation and continuity in suffering as well as self inflicted backwardness.
After all, Ekiti people cannot say that there is no better alternative window for them with Fayemi as the flag bearer of APC.
Voice of reason from Ekitipanupo Initiative
The minimum a well meaning intellectual forum can do is to lay all the facts on the table for the people to take informed decisions and the electorate to be adequately guided in their choices. Ekiti matter should not be a case of people that perish or retrogress due to lack of information and sufficient knowledge to do the right thing.
Everything can’t be politics. Also it should not be that some people don’t care if the status quo continues for as long as the face of the person they don’t want to see doesn’t get there even if the fellow is the best deal on the table now. Unhealthy intrigues that set us back as a state and people should stop. Ekiti must get it right and set good example for other states in the Yoruba nation to follow suit.
Arbitrariness in the way our people are governed should stop. This can only be achieved with an “omoluabi” in charge. Someone accessible that can be engaged constructively in a civil debate and made to see reason. We won’t make the attainable progress for as long as we have governors ruling and managing our affairs by impulse.
Ekiti is long due for a long-term development plan that the people will take ownership of and not an APC or PDP thing that the nomenclature and constituents may change anytime. A lasting indigenous socio-economic development plan that will be legislated should be the commission of the next and subsequent administrations that will govern Ekiti State.
K’oniyan a se ri ayiye osan l’ale ke wi ibaradidi ni un a mu; t’ori ilara at’orikikun? Ko ba je asasi l’oro un , o ye ka wi ori ra ko” God of deliverance will deliver Ekiti poor masses.
It is high time for Ekiti people to “gbon uya nu”!
Ajuse o
1
EKITIPANUPO INITIATIVE ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN EKITI
If the published financial status coupled with the way the affairs of the state is being managed is true, then any state that elects a candidate sponsored to continue the kind of record stated above is jinxed or doomed and the people don’t deserve pity from any quarter. Because it would mean a classical case of a deliberate plunging of themselves into an avoidable strife, untoward deprivation and continuity in suffering as well as self inflicted backwardness.
After all, Ekiti people cannot say that there is no better alternative window for them with Fayemi as the flag bearer of APC.
Voice of reason from Ekitipanupo Initiative
Seye Adetunmbi wrote about Party Politics in Ekiti
As it is today, Ekiti APC as constituted is not different from the national APC that I have always referred to as “Pindinpin Renewal Group”. This is why it is imperative to drop the finger pointing thing over the same “lager beer” or nomenclature called political party in Nigeria of today.
What matters today is the content and character of the elected governor and not the shell/robe (political party). We are all at the mercy of whoever emerges as the flag bearer of APC, PDP, ADP etc.
For instance, I have learnt not to write off “surrogate” or handpicked successors from the Lagos experience. Thus, if this gentleman academic from Ikere picks PDP ticket and wins, the minimum well meaning Ekiti people can do is to support him. This should also apply to APC or any other political party person that emerges as the elected governor.
Until Ekiti electorate get it right, the people’s votes truly count in the real sense of it and we are on top of our politics in Ekiti, let’s continue to keep hope alive.
Ajuse o.
CONCLUDE EKITI APC GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARY
It was really refreshing watching on NTA the organized manner the APC governorship primary election was going on in Ekiti on May 5, 2018. This is why it was so disheartening when the smooth process was aborted. It would amount to an understatement to say that the development was a great disappointment to well meaning Ekiti indigenes at home and abroad who see APC as the last hope of the people on credible democratic process.
Apparently those behind the disruption are the losers. It is obvious that they were so scared of defeat because their “make-believe” political profile will be exposed to the public, that they are empty barrels after all. Ekitipanupo Initiative (EI) joins other well meaning Ekiti people to condemn the dastardly act of the sponsored hoodlums.
This makes it imperative for the law enforcement agencies to roundup those that video camera captured destroying the ballot boxes and prosecute them with dispatch. This will not only expose the scams and deceptive aspirants but serve as detriment for misguided ones that make themselves tools in the hands of self serving politicians.
Also to put to shame the deceitful aspirants that rushed to social media with false reports, the votes cast so far should be counted and made public. There is no way a winning team will go and cause confusion, but the bad losers. When you are dealing with treacherous swines, it is strategic to deal with issues openly because they thrive in intrigues and secret setting.
APC top hierarchy should fix a date within a fortnight for the primary election to be concluded in earnest at a neutral location where security of the venue can not be compromised come rain or shine. Riot act should be read to all aspirants who must be counseled to behave themselves appropriately. Whoever crosses the line among them will be escorted out of the election arena and disqualified. Any aspirant who will not respect the party leaders and keep to basic rules guiding the election process should be put in his/her place.
As at today, the generally acceptable effective way to determine who is most popular and well accepted by the political party hierarchy is to let the delegates elect their party flag bearer. This cannot be left to the wishful thinking of a few insecure self serving politicians that are part of the race.
No doubt every aspirant has followers but how many of their devotees are delegates that are qualified to vote? This is the crux of the matter.
A level playing field is the way out. Let every aspirant key into it or burry the thought of contesting and let the those who are ready to play according to the rule advance the cause of the political party.
A ju se o
El
As it is today, Ekiti APC as constituted is not different from the national APC that I have always referred to as “Pindinpin Renewal Group”. This is why it is imperative to drop the finger pointing thing over the same “lager beer” or nomenclature called political party in Nigeria of today.
What matters today is the content and character of the elected governor and not the shell/robe (political party). We are all at the mercy of whoever emerges as the flag bearer of APC, PDP, ADP etc.
For instance, I have learnt not to write off “surrogate” or handpicked successors from the Lagos experience. Thus, if this gentleman academic from Ikere picks PDP ticket and wins, the minimum well meaning Ekiti people can do is to support him. This should also apply to APC or any other political party person that emerges as the elected governor.
Until Ekiti electorate get it right, the people’s votes truly count in the real sense of it and we are on top of our politics in Ekiti, let’s continue to keep hope alive.
Ajuse o.
CONCLUDE EKITI APC GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARY
It was really refreshing watching on NTA the organized manner the APC governorship primary election was going on in Ekiti on May 5, 2018. This is why it was so disheartening when the smooth process was aborted. It would amount to an understatement to say that the development was a great disappointment to well meaning Ekiti indigenes at home and abroad who see APC as the last hope of the people on credible democratic process.
Apparently those behind the disruption are the losers. It is obvious that they were so scared of defeat because their “make-believe” political profile will be exposed to the public, that they are empty barrels after all. Ekitipanupo Initiative (EI) joins other well meaning Ekiti people to condemn the dastardly act of the sponsored hoodlums.
This makes it imperative for the law enforcement agencies to roundup those that video camera captured destroying the ballot boxes and prosecute them with dispatch. This will not only expose the scams and deceptive aspirants but serve as detriment for misguided ones that make themselves tools in the hands of self serving politicians.
Also to put to shame the deceitful aspirants that rushed to social media with false reports, the votes cast so far should be counted and made public. There is no way a winning team will go and cause confusion, but the bad losers. When you are dealing with treacherous swines, it is strategic to deal with issues openly because they thrive in intrigues and secret setting.
APC top hierarchy should fix a date within a fortnight for the primary election to be concluded in earnest at a neutral location where security of the venue can not be compromised come rain or shine. Riot act should be read to all aspirants who must be counseled to behave themselves appropriately. Whoever crosses the line among them will be escorted out of the election arena and disqualified. Any aspirant who will not respect the party leaders and keep to basic rules guiding the election process should be put in his/her place.
As at today, the generally acceptable effective way to determine who is most popular and well accepted by the political party hierarchy is to let the delegates elect their party flag bearer. This cannot be left to the wishful thinking of a few insecure self serving politicians that are part of the race.
No doubt every aspirant has followers but how many of their devotees are delegates that are qualified to vote? This is the crux of the matter.
A level playing field is the way out. Let every aspirant key into it or burry the thought of contesting and let the those who are ready to play according to the rule advance the cause of the political party.
A ju se o
El
WOULD EKITI EVER GET ITS POLITICS RIGHT
By,
Seye Adetunmbi
On the 6th of March 2005, Ekitipanupo Forum was birthed through the clarion call of the convener on the internet interactive portal. It was the hope of Ekitipanupo Initiative that Ekiti-State by now would have been able to make the difference in consistent good governance for other states to follow suit by truly handing over power to the people. Alas, 13 years after the debut of Ekitipanupo, Ekiti people are still groping in the darkness of being at the mercy of the covetous, selfish and self serving politicians at the expense of the poor masses. The elites are yet to get the governing of the state and the people right. Until we get our politics right based on equity and fairness democratically, it will be rather impossible to relegate to the background the primitive turn-by-turn syndrome that confines too much power and political influence to a small clique of indigenes that are only accountable to themselves and their partners in feeding fat at the expense of the majority.
It is not out of place to come to the conclusion that except par chance the system that has kept producing the characters we have had as governors so far will eventually throw up an indigene that doesn’t share the mindset of these forerunners may eventually make the difference. This “God-sent” will revolutionize governance in Ekiti for good such that those who personalize public office will not stand the chance of winning elections in Ekiti at all tiers of government. If at all a few of them have their way, they won’t be in the majority as it is today.
Ekitipanupo as a premium indigenous intellectual Roundtable has kept to the think tank bit of the visionary agenda. This is evidenced in the delivered a timeless blue print to Ekiti State government in December 2010 by Chief Bukola Oluwadiya the chairman of the committee that packaged the document and Professor Bolaji Aluko a member of the committee, they both represented the forum. It is available for every government to review and use as deemed appropriate and if there is any area that needs to be revisited it can be sent back to the forum for the egg heads to deal with it. Implementation of blue prints is beyond Ekitipanupo if the forum is neither in nor part of government.
The rat race has commenced again for the governorship seat in our beloved Ekiti-State. Everybody wants to be governor not primarily at the instance of the needs of the poor masses and how to serve the larger interests of the majority but to feed personal trips and continue the status quo. Apparently, for as long as the way our governors emerge remains the same, then it will take the special grace of God for Ekiti-State to get her governance and politics right except miraculously the successive governors have the right mindset different from our nouveau riche gominas.
The challenge before Ekitipanupo is that when the greedy clique that lives on politics and doesn't share the values of Ekitipanupo initiative sponsors a governor and the fellow gets to office with his own agenda too, then there will be no space for the proper thing to be done. They will not invite on board or allow people that will call them to order to move too close to them' an wi e a jan seun kan fe se, kan jeun s'oke; apapin.
No matter how brilliant, whatever Ekitipanupo puts together, it will be brushed aside if those in charge have an agenda different from the collective will in the interest of the masses. That's the sad reality of our predicament as a state and Nigeria at large. This is why the status quo people that benefit endlessly from a warped system don't want restructuring in Nigeria.
Some of us have resolved not to lose sleep on Ekiti project anymore if a forum like Ekitipanupo can not influence policy direction and its implementation in the state. Oju ka ba ni k'ale e i t'oro sinpin. I doubt it if any governor that doesn't engage Ekitipanupo sincerely/conscientiously can ever serve the larger interest in Ekiti. What they want is to use the platform to launder their image and propagate their agenda but not inclined to be guided by our collective intellectual input. However, it gladdens one’s heart that more indigenes with the right profile have stepped out to challenge the status quo by offering themselves to govern Ekiti. All hopes may not be lost after all, God being our helper. They should be encouraged until their party primaries are concluded.
Albeit, the candidate Ekitipanupo forum should endorse or that the members should follow to the field to campaign is the one that will adopt the blue print of Ekitipanupo put together by the best of Ekiti intellectuals at home and abroad. This is the minimum Ekitipanupo community should demand from the political party candidates. I am convinced that whoever is not comfortable to implement the well thought out policy development document to the letter, subsequent to its revision and update, is essentially NOT going to serve the larger interest of Ekiti people. Also such successor of the incumbent is most likely going to be a rat race governor which is not good for us.
Why lasting good governance seems so difficult, which ordinarily should be a simple and straight forward thing in Ekiti is due to how those who govern us emerge and the innate character of those that have been privileged to get there so far. The reality is that the political system is so warped, and it is only the elected chief executive of the state that can make the difference. It will also take the grace of God for anyone who gets to exalted office in Nigeria of today not to misbehave or get it wrong.
Therefore, what would make those who govern Ekiti to make the difference are the values of the dramatis personae as well as the mission and vision that drive the person and his/her team. In the event that or the situation whereby the priority of the people in charge is to sort themselves out/"apapin", parochial and about personal ego, then we shouldn't expect much. This has been the lot of Ekiti which has resulted to what is on ground till date. But if the new governor comes in and calls a meeting of all Ekiti stakeholders (Ekiti statesmen, all political party leaders, royal fathers, senior civil servants, trade union leaders, artisans, farmers, and representatives of NURTW, Okada riders, traders etc and appeal to everyone that we have to do things differently henceforth with a well thought out new policy direction.
The new order will be systematically communicated and implemented. Under the new order, probity won't be an exception but the rule. Those that will be appointed to offices must be people that want to serve larger interest while whoever is seeking contract should go and register as a contractor. Projects that can be done with N5 must not be given out at N10. Likewise if the state needs to raise capital from the financial market it has to be efficiently carried out in the most cost effective manner. The professional fees payable must be brought to the barest minimum and the jobs given to enthusiastic undertakers that are ready to partner with the state on the new order.
Of course the ultimate governor that will truly turnaround things in Ekiti must be humble, amiable in his relationship with all ranks of Ekiti people, disciplined in all fronts, commands respect of the governed and ready to overlook luxury of office which has been bastardized in the current political dispensation in Nigeria. Essentially, it must be leadership by example and NOT by precept. "O yo wi ki r'aiye a ajasan, k'uwo gan a mu itan malu wa gari".
Ekitipanupo in the past 13 years provided an avenue for Ekiti State to get it right, but the politicians that want to be hero-worshiped and don't wish to be accountable constitute themselves as the albatross of the desired progress for our beloved state. Whenever the forum can not serve parochial interests or be manipulated, then Ekitipanupo is no longer an intellectual roundtable; it is called names of all sorts.The self serving elements among us and the over ambitious politicians have infiltrated the ranks of the royal fathers and community leaders which made it increasingly tough to produce a depoliticized and legislated Ekiti Socioeconomic Development Charter that will serve larger interest.
Once the intellectuals have done their work, the next thing is for the Oba-in-Council in all communities and all ranks of interest groups in the state to buy into it. In a way, the master plan would be seen to have passed through a referendum, taking it to the state assembly would be mere formality, a walkover. If a political party tries this, it will never work because of the rat race among the political parties and their chieftains. Go and check out how many legislated schemes by Fayemi that has been reversed by Fayose. If the former finds his way back there, he too will reverse that of the latter and the retrogressive chain of intrigue continues. This is where Ekitipanupo initiative comes in if only the strategic forum is efficiently leveraged.
The way our political office holders are elected is not different from gambling. "Eyi je, eyi o je ni". The kalokalo politics remains a game of chance until perhaps Ekiti people are lucky to have leaders with the right mindset to revolutionize how they are governed on a lasting positive track. Some of us have tried our little by initiating and sustaining this assembly of the best of Ekiti people outside the structure of political parties. It would be rather unfair of anyone to expect the convener to perform magic when he doesn’t have any political power nor huge financial capacity to do more or take it a step further. Besides, no mortal can satisfy everybody, you define what you want to achieve and target your goal.
The focus/target of Ekitipanupo initiative is to have a microcosm of Ekiti State and a truly representative congress of well meaning Ekiti people in an online, real-time and all the year round robust platform. This we have achieved to the glory of God. What we make out of this rare gathering is no longer the sole responsibility of the pioneers but that of every subscriber to the intellectual roundtable.
Can Ekiti people get their politics right? Yes, it is doable! If what we witness today in Ekiti is possible with visible follower-ship, someone with the right attitude and well directed energy can turn things around with an assured lasting follower-ship of a considerable chunk of the electorate in the long run. Where there is a will, there is a way. Let’s continue to keep hope alive.
WHO WILL HEAL EKITI LAND OF PERPETUAL DISTRESS AND CACOPHONY POLITICKING
When would Ekiti people get their acts together and get basic sustainable good governance right?
Where are all the honorable Ekiti people at home and abroad?
Why is it so difficult for all ranks of well meaning Ekiti people to convene and rise above parochial and personal vested interests?
Can’t Ekiti make the difference in entrenching a system whereby wrong people won’t hijack our political heritage such that reliable and cultured people will represent the people in all tiers of government?
Are we saying that Ekiti is so dearth of credible intellectuals, men and women of integrity that can chart a formidable political course for Ekiti in such a manner that will curtail or tame the excesses of self serving politicians that continue to set us back as a state and give the people perennial bad image?
O ri da bi oni pe e s’agba, ab’oniyan mo l’Ekiti
O ma se o!
Ekiti needs a leader, It is lack of it that is manifesting in the predicament of our people. Certainly, none of the present crop of political party leaders fits the bill, they have failed the poor masses.
Who will lead Ekiti people and deliver them?
The person may never emerge until all the mercantile and commercial politicians are ready to eke a living through other vocation and not from party politics.
We continue to keep hope alive.
Signed
Ekitipanupo Initiative (EI)
MUSING ON EKITIPANUPO AT 12
By
Seye Adetunmbi 6/3/17
On the anniversary of the establishment of Ekitipanupo Forum on March 6th 2005 till date, I tried as much as possible to write an article to share with the devout members of the forum to muse over from time to time. I must confess that the enthusiasm was not there for me to write anything anymore because I said to myself: what is it that one has not written about on Ekiti and Nigeria in general in the past 12 years for us to have a better society? By now one had expected Ekiti to have perfected a structure whereby when it comes to the issue of governance, the emergence of wrong people as the people’s representative in all tiers of government would have become a thing of the past! On a second thought as a believer, one is expected to give thanks to God in every situation. I couldn’t think of any other thing to write on Ekitipanupo Forum after all these years of deliberations in the foremost Ekiti intellectual community than to appreciate everyone who had stood with the forum till date to give it more credibility, which is of no small feat. Also to reflect on other things the forum had been able to accomplish and ask the members, what next? The accompanying pictures say it all on the little we have been able to do for the benefit of mankind and to the glory of God.
It has not been easy sailing through challenges on the way in over one decade. It is no isayere (tales by moonlight) managing a mixed grill of socio-political and economic interests of wide range of people in a forum strictly for Ekiti people. Yet, with persistence, determination and sincerity of purpose we weathered the storms and remain standing through the grace of God. Ekitipanupo survived various hostile Ekiti State governments and the intrigues implanted in the friendly administrations alike to the glory of God; kudos to the devoted loyal members of the forum. In all we had a functional and resourceful pioneer Executive Council under the leadership of Prof Akin Oyebode and during his tenure a constitution was passed for the forum. Also the forum published the maiden Ekitipanupo Magazine, hosted 1st and 2nd Public Lectures, developed a Blue Print on sustainable integrated socio-economic development policies which was delivered to Ekiti State government in 2010, Ekitipanupo Legacy Book was published by the convener of the forum and the 1st Ekiti Colloquium held in 2016. Beyond physical projects, Ekitipanupo manifested the laudable virtues that Ekiti people are noted for by standing by the truth, supporting legitimate government, unrelenting in being the conscience of Ekiti people on good governance and being our brother’s keeper. In times of critical needs, the forum had often rallied support for their members and people around them as much as possible.
The 12 years old forum is of course a product of vision; it didn't happen by accident but pre-planned with set objectives. This is why from time to time we tend to take stock to evaluate how we have fared as a group. We continuously put on thinking caps in search of functional way forward. The commission of the platform remains to primarily advance the cause of good governance in Ekiti while looking out for one another in our various endeavors. In the interactive forum we are mindful of the content posted to the forum, members are not tolerated to throw decency and civility to the winds, as much as possible. Eebu ara (deriding human deformity) is an abomination in Yoruba land and as such, unwarranted pedestrian personalized private life attacks are frowned at in Ekitipanupo forum. What Ekitipanupo initiative yearns for is healthy debate on ideologies and philosophy of life that can be actualized to make life more abundant for the masses. Expectedly, there is a measure of fraternal and political benefits accruing to Ekitipanupo devout members in politics that have not committed any crime. This is imperative because one of the cardinal goals of Ekitipanupo is to head-hunt credible capable hands to participate in party politics and government. For instance if those of us that are eminently qualified are not in position to step out to govern Ekiti State, it is morally binding on us to encourage and canvass in favor of every worthy aspirant who accords due respect to Ekitipanupo and acknowledges the forum as a partner in progress.
With every sense of responsibility, I can conveniently state that Ekitipanupo think-tank is far ahead in terms of planning, perspective and preparedness of anyone who had governed Ekiti or aspires to govern the state. Any politician who says he/she has all it takes to govern Ekiti without the input of the intellectual community is not sincere and the person is on a self deceit and solo trip. The fellow is bound to fail in serving larger interests but will succeed in lining his/her pockets and that of close allies. This is why rat race politicians, self serving governors and parochial aspirants/aspirations can never be comfortable with Ekitipanupo forum and her laudable initiatives. Their problem is "imotaraeninikan/okanjua"! It is about them first before the masses that the political power belongs to. The jobless political party chieftains are afraid of the influence of Ekitipanupo; meanwhile the forum is in no competition with anybody but committed to sustainable good governance in Ekiti State. I am convinced that Ekiti people could be easy to govern if you make the interests of the poor masses the priority of the government and partner with a resourceful and intellectual Ekitipanupo forum. By the attitude of the politicians to Ekitipanupo, you can figure out their character, know what their priorities are and the outcome of any government they have control over.
Ekitipanupo remains the microcosm of Ekiti State as a result of the fact that virtually all the constituent Ekiti communities are represented in the interactive platform. This has made the forum to be highly political and sensitive to party politics and democratic government in the state. Overtly ambitious politicians that have personal agenda and don’t want to be accountable are bound to dread the forum. And until we have a state government administration in place that will accord Ekitipanupo its rightful place as a major stakeholder that can’t be ignored we have to be discerning in the manner we administer the forum. Hence, the administrative structure is such that the EXCO is drawn out when such need arises as supported by the constitution. We can’t afford to change leadership anyhow in a forum essentially driven by volunteers because such arrangement comes with responsibilities considering the logistics and commitments involved. Consequently, anyone who has a task for Ekitipanupo would have to formally present it to the floor of the house. The interactive platform is self moderating and has since graduated to autopilot mode. What is needed is to direct proposal to the forum, in the absence of no loud objection within the collectively agreed time frame then it is taken as unanimous consent of the members. Ekitipanupo is an open book, unswerving to "ure Ekiti" without any hidden agenda.
As we draw close to 2018 or at the next opportunity to elect a new governor, let’s encourage the aspirants to go about their politics amicably in line with the tenets of democracy. It is imperative to note that Ekitipanupo forum and all ranks of Ekiti progressive people have history of a torturous journey as they are committed to seeking a just and better society for the state. Those who mean well for Ekiti people must not allow the transient ambition of any self serving politician to trivialize or diminish the essence of our resolve to institute a better deal for the poor masses in our beloved state. Getting it right politically through a consistent good government for Ekiti as a going concern is a task that must be done. The Ekiti elite cannot play the victim; they become accomplices if they watch or do nothing to collectively work towards ensuring that government that will serve larger interest is enthroned.
Thus, for Ekiti people to get it right in governance should be the next task before Ekitipanupo in my humble opinion. Congratulations to all the sincere members of Ekitipanupo on the 12th anniversary. A s’eyi s’amodun o, Amin.
Seye Adetunmbi
The Convener
6/3/17
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