Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
The traditional rulers in Ekiti State Saturday urged the state’ lawmakers-elect to rise above partisanship after their inauguration into the House of Assembly on June 6.
The monarchs, also, urged the lawmakers-elect to make laws that would be in the overall interest of the populace, regardless of political affiliations and religious beliefs.
They canvassed the positions when the lawmaker-elect of the Irepodun-Ifelodun Constituency II, Hon. Akeem Jamiu paid visit on the Oniropora of Iropora Ekiti, Oba Joel Ajayi and Alaworoko-in-Council in Iworoko Ekiti, Chief Abiodun Ologunsaba, among others, Saturday.
In the March 9 House of Assembly election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had won 25 of the 26 assembly seats declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, with election in Ekiti East constituency declared inconclusive.
During Jamiu’s visit to his palace, Olonibua said all the lawmakers elected should refrain from discrimination and treat all citizens as equal and deserved of democracy dividends.
He regretted that his town has not enjoyed the expected political patronage in terms of appointments since 1999, urging the lawmaker-elect to take up the matter with the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
According to the monarch, this is an issue I want the lawmaker-elect to address for us when inaugurated as our representative at the assembly.
Speaking on behalf of Alaworoko-in-Council, Ologunsaba said the lawmaker should give quality representation and should interact with all constituents, including members of opposition.
Ologunsaba said the people of Iworoko “believe that your representation will bear fruit for all and sundry that is why we voted for you.
“We need infrastructural facilities like pipe borne water, motorable road, primary health services and other social amenities that will accelerate our living conditions.”
In response, Jamiu said he had started renovating all the abandoned and dysfunctional boreholes across the constituency , even before his inauguration as assembly member on June 6.
He said, “I am a different politician. When you are seeking votes, you play politics, but now that I had won, I won’t discriminate. My representation must be for all.
“We are not going to fail in our promises. I have repaired two boreholes at Afao where the opposition was stronger as palliative measures. The governor has just handed over the abandoned Ado-Iyin Road to contractors.
“Work will soon commence on the establishment of clear-cut road network that would link Iworoko to Igbemo to Ilumoba and other towns. We are going there to work with Fayemi to make Ekiti great.
“We are not going there for personal benefit but to work for the populace. We are not going to disappoint you, because you voted for me based on conviction that I have the capacity to deliver.”
