EKITI 2018: “THE INJUSTICE TO EKITI SOUTH SENATORIAL ZONE”; Why The Zone Must Produce The Next Governor

Democracy, according to its progenitors, centres on numbers, fairness, equal treatment, justice and most importantly, genuine deliverance of its dividends to the people.



Since its creation on October 1st, 1996 by the military administration of General Sani Abacha, governance has been decided and controlled by, when it was not by non-indigenes, was by the Ekiti North and Ekiti Central Senatorial zones while Ekiti South Senatorial zone, which coincidentally, has the largest population both in size and numbers but sadly so, has remained marginalized in leadership and development by administrations championed by elected leaders from Ekiti North and Central respectively.
Political observers and analysts alike, have continued to ponder over this imbalance and this has culminated in what stakeholders say has resulted in the neglect of the zone and therefore, the time for Ekiti South to produce the next governor of the state is now particularly so with the forthcoming elections in 2018.

Describing the situation in Ekiti state as lopsided and unjust, Ademola Fatimehin, a political analyst says it is capable of creating disaffection among the various socio-political groups in the state thereby resulting in uneven infrastructural development in the state.

This position of Fatmehin is further corroborated by Peter Olayinka who says, “indeed, it is the time for Ekiti South Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state from the array of very qualified aspirants gunning for the exalted seat as it would help create an enabling environment for developmental growth of the zone as, not only did successive administrations abandon the zone in terms of infrastructure, they also did not allow for even participation in governance”.

Some have, myopically argued, that Ekiti South Senatorial zone have not provided qualified candidates in previous governorship elections but Olayinka again counters this by stating that the zone has some of the most qualified brains to administer and run the affairs of the state. How verifiable is this allegation when it is common knowledge and factual that the zone has some of the very bright and successful individuals in the state?

Findings by this medium revealed that Ekiti South Senatorial zone boasts of prominent personalities who; either as politicians or private individuals in the society, have second addresses other than being tagged as “politician” and are successfully entrenched in the business community as “achievers of great repute” within and outside the state and their philanthropy knows no bounds as they have impacted positively on the lives of their respective communities which has earned them the love, respect and genuine loyalty that necessitated in their call to serve.
 
According to Olayinka, “this same zone has prominent names that have, successfully, carved a niche for themselves in the private sector, service to their fatherland and humanity and also, other human endeavours and therefore, do not see politics as “their business” but a true desire for selfless service to the people of Ekiti state”.

These categories of “Ekititarians” have what it takes to, not only govern Ekiti state but to deliver true and genuine democratic dividends to the generality of the people, devoid of sentiments, bias, tribe or zone. These are indeed selfless leaders with the fear of God and the genuine will to serve; not for self-aggrandizement or political gains. True Nigerians without political godfathers!

It is however sad that, some former elected leaders who governed the state in the years past still want to return to office using their new found position; as state or national officers to arm-twist and hoodwink their party leadership especially at the national level to conjure all types of unfounded tales about their capabilities.

Do they truly want to serve the people or serve their selfish interests? Oyeleke Abiodun queried.

This forms part of the pressing and very pertinent questions being asked as to why must we continue to recycle these people who have been rejected at the polls before and are only trying to capitalize on their new found positions to further plunge the good people of Ekiti state into political darkness as they scheme to make a “futile comeback” for selfish and greedy reasons.

Political pundits in the state believe that, in Ekiti South Senatorial zone, lies the magic tonic for the All Progressive Congress APC to wrest power from the People’s Democratic Party PDP in the forthcoming elections in 2018 as this new breed leaders, with their sound grassroots acceptability, have what it takes as genuine leaders with vast knowledge; politically, administratively and economically as they have successfully, etched their names in various economic and business endeavours and are now, a threat to the political future and relevance of these category of “old hands” in the political calculations of Ekiti’s re-emergence to greatness.

Following their dismal performance in office that led to their ouster, they are adopting all forms of shenanigans to perpetuate themselves in charge of the affairs of the state and therefore, have refused to pave way for a new breed of elected leaders to come on board and provide qualitative leadership.