EKITI RESTORATION AGENDA: WHY EKITI SOUTH SENATORIAL ZONE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED FOR 2018 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION BY DR. MAO
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| DR. MAO |
Obviously, the previous arrangements on the emergence of candidates have always been done in a lopsided manner to favour Ekiti North and Central Senatorial zones while the zone with more numerical strength; Ekiti South Senatorial zone, is always left in the lurch. This lopsided and unfair arrangement has continued for too long and, if democracy is about numbers, fairness and justice, the time for that balance is now.
Ekiti South Senatorial Zone is indeed blessed with capable personalities with impeccable CV's that can stand their ground in any discipline; persons equipped with leadership qualities and most importantly, the genuine zeal to serve and of course, the fear of God.
This is where, one of Africa's best Aviator, Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi; a man of impeccable resume‘ and intellect comes to present his willingness to serve the good people of Ekiti South Senatorial District and by a larger extent, the state in general.
Below, Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi, the man popularly referred to as Dr. MAO, delves into the history of Ekiti state, since its creation in 1996 and provides an interesting read.
ENJOY
Since the creation of Ekiti State on the 1st of October, 1996, it has been governed severally by ten (10) administrators as at today. See table below:
S/N
NAME
TITLE
ZONE
FROM
TO
1.
MOHAMMED BAWA
ADMININTRATOR
NON INDEGINE
7/10/96
Aug. 98
2.
NAVY CAP. ATANDA YUSUF
ADMINISTRATOR
NON INDEGINE
Aug. 98
May 99
3.
OTUNBA NIYI ADEBAYO
GOVERNOR
CENTRAL
1999
29/5/2003
4.
AYO FAYOSE
GOVERNOR
CENTRAL
29/5/2003
16/10/2006
5.
CHIEF FRIDAY ADEREMI
ACTING GOV
NORTH
17/10/2006
18/10/2006
6.
TUNJI OLURIN
ADMINISTRATOR
NON INDEGINE
18/10/2006
27/4/2007
7.
TOPE ADEMULUYI
ACTING GOV
CENTRAL
27/4/2007
29/5/2007
8.
SEGUN ONI
GOVERNOR
NORTH
29/5/2007
15/10/2010
9.
DR. KAYODE FAYEMI
GOVERNOR
NORTH
15/10/2010
15/10/2014
10.
AYO FAYOSE
GOVERNOR
CENTRAL
16/10/2014
DATE
In the twenty one (21) years of Ekiti State’s existence, it has never had any son or daughter of Ekiti South Senatorial Zone as governor despite having more local governments than any of the other zones. Ekiti South Senatorial Zone has six (6) local governments while the others (Ekiti North and Central zones) have five (5) each.
From the above table, it can be seen clearly that Ekiti Central has ruled the State on three (3) different occasions while Ekiti North has also ruled on two different occasions.
However, Ekiti South has never been at the saddle of power till date whereas non indigenes from other States have administered Ekiti State for three years and four months in total. This period is almost equal to a full democratic term of four (4) years.
Ekiti South Senatorial Zone is not an outcast. We are not helpless? We do not have to wait for power to be transferred to us. We have all it takes to rule Ekiti State through constitutional, electoral, judicious, justifiable, legal and fair means.
We are being made to believe that power can only be bequeathed on us. Are we incompetent or incapable? Are we created to be perpetual spare tyres?
Under natural justice, Ekiti South should have been competing for its second or third chance in power by now.
As at 2015 INEC voters’ register, Ekiti State has a total of eight hundred and fifteen thousand, four hundred and six registered voters (815,406) spread across the senatorial ones as below:
Table I – VOTERS’ STRENGTH IN EKITI BY ZONES:
S/N
ZONE
NUMBER OF LGAs
REGISTERED VOTERS
%
.1.
Ekiti Central
5
328,708
40.32%
2.
Ekiti North
5
208,941
25.63%
3.
Ekiti South
6
277,757
34.05%
Total
16
815,406
100%
Above table shows Ekiti South has the highest number of Local Governments (6) and the second highest number of registered voters of 277,757 which constitutes 34.05%.
Table II – LGA DELEGATES’ STRENGTH OF EKITI:
S/N
ZONE
No OF LGAs
No OF LGA DELEGATES (26 PER LGA)
%
.1.
Ekiti Central
5
130
31.25%
2.
Ekiti North
5
130
31.25%
3.
Ekiti South
6
156
37.50%
Total
16
416
100%
Above table shows that from the total of 416 delegates from all the Local Governments at twenty six (26) executives from each Local Government, Ekiti South Senatorial Zone has 156 delegates representing 37.5%.
Table III – WARD DELEGATES’ STRENGTH OF EKITI:
S/N
ZONE
No OF LGAs
WARDS
No of DELEGATES (AT 13 PER WARD)
ADHOC DELEGATES (AT 5 PER WARD)
1.
Ekiti Central
5
57
741
280
2.
Ekiti North
5
56
728
285
3.
Ekiti South
6
64
832
320
Total
16
117
2,301
885
Above table shows that from the total ward delegates of 2,301 at thirteen (13) executives from each Ward, Ekiti South has 832 delegates representing 36.16%. Of 885 adhoc delegates, Ekiti South has 320 delegates representing 36.16%
Table IV – SUMMARY OF TOTAL DELEGATES’ STRENGTH OF EKITI:
S/N
ZONE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DELEGATES
WARD DELEGATES
ADHOC DELEGATES
TOTAL
%
1.
Ekiti Central
130
741
280
1,156
32.09
2.
Ekiti North
130
728
285
1,138
31.60
3.
Ekiti South
156
832
320
1,308
36.31
Total
416
2,301
885
3,602
100
(i) Ekiti South produces 1,308 delegates which constitute 36. 31% of the total delegates.
(ii) Ekiti Central has a total of 1,156 delegates or 32.09%.
(iii) Ekiti North has 1,138 delegates or 31.60%.
This shows that Ekiti South with 36.31% of delegates has always been the kingmaker for both North and Central who have had it five (5) times between themselves.
We have 29 State Excos and 1 national delegate. These delegates cannot take away the superiority of delegates from Ekiti South since the 29 State Excos will have a proportionate number from Ekiti South too.
Ekiti South Senatorial Zone is therefore the ‘queen damsel’ of Ekiti politics most especially in deciding who clinches the governorship ticket to become the flag bearer of any political party at the primaries.
Ekiti South Senatorial Zone with all its politically intimidating statistics and electoral strength both in determining a candidate and winner has not been fairly and justifiably carried along in the power play of Ekiti State in the past twenty one (21) years.
In the spirit of fairness, equity, justice and democratic principle of power rotation amongst confederating entities, it is only fair and just for the sons and daughters of Ekiti South Senatorial zone to be maximally supported for the governorship of Ekiti State for the first time in twenty one (21) years.
If the best time was some twenty one (21) years ago, the next best time is now (2018).
Buttressing the case of Ekiti South Senatorial Zone analogically, Ekiti State has three (3) children – (the three zones). All aged 21 years.
If a child was born on October, 1st 1996, he or she would be 21 years in 2017. If such child has not graduated by now, at the worst, he would be rounding up his degree program in the University.
Ekiti South Senatorial Zone as one of the three ‘children’ is still struggling for an admission.
This ‘child’, Ekiti South Senatorial Zone is not in this position because it is mentally, intellectually intelligently or physically handicapped. ‘He’ is also not lacking in integrity, ability, preparedness, willingness or readiness. The other two ‘children’ (central and north) have three and two ‘degrees’ respectively. They (central and north) are even aspiring for their fourth and or third ones while Ekiti South is struggling for an initial admission.
The governorship position of Ekiti State is now up for another contest in July 2018. Unfairly and insensitively, the other two ‘children’ are flexing their muzzles to contest and scuttle, frustrate or make the chances of their ‘triplet brother’ – Ekiti South – very tough!.
It is a common saying that “one good turn deserves another”. In our case, we are only asking for just our good turn. We think this is magnanimous enough from us without being too proud or arrogant. We are not asking for too much.
We are equal contenders in the race. We are willing, able and ready. We are not second fiddle to anybody. We have all it takes to take what we know is a right of ours. We are not asking to be spoon fed. All we are asking for is fairness and justice.
Parents are known to be fair to all children. Ekiti South Senatorial Zone cries for justice, fairness and equity. We are not in short supply of eminently qualified, credible, willing, able and ready sons and daughters who can take Ekiti State to a greater level.
We have been brothers in progress. We have been supportive of our brothers in the North and Central Zones all these years. We are of the same origin. We are all descendants of Oduduwa who is well known for fairness and justice. What we have in abundance for our brothers from the other Senatorial Zones are love and trust.
We look forward to the support of our brothers from North and Central just as we have always been doing to them these past twenty one (21) years.
We shall remain stronger together with love, trust and fairness with justice and equity to Ekiti South Senatorial Zone.
Thank you and God bless you all. Amen. Long Live Nigeria, Long Live Ekiti State.
Position Articulated by:
Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (Dr. MAO)
Governorship Aspirant,
Aisegba, Gboyin Local Government.
www.doctormao.org
EKITI SOUTH AGENDA 2018
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