- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has tasked the newly sworn- in councilors across the state to work for the progress and development of their towns as well as the stability of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Deputy Governor warned the council legislators against deploying their current positions to stoke unwarranted intra-party squabbles in their councils and within APC, the party they used as a vehicle to ascend greatness in politics.
Mrs Afuye said these on Friday, while receiving the eleven Councilors from Ikere Local Government and Ikere West Local Council Development Area, who came on a thank you visit to her office in Ado Ekiti.
The councilors were led by one of the leaders of APC in the Council, Engr. Bimbo Ogundipe and other party’s topnotches.
Addressing the council legislators, the Deputy Governor, insisted that the councilors should key into the well espoused views of Governor Biodun Oyebanji that governance at the grassroots must enjoy accelerated progress and development.
Urging them to see their new status as a call to service, Mrs Afuye added that their positive impacts would go a long way in determining how far and well they would go in their political careers.
The Deputy Governor emphasized the need for them to play the right politics at the grassroots level as advised by Governor Biodun Oyebanji while inaugurating the council chairmen.
She said: “You need to be honest and transparent in whatever you do. Let there be a change in our politics and development in Ikere Ekiti . Don’t forget that Governor Oyebanji has a special love and attachment to the progress of the councils, don’t derail this focus.
“You have to be committed and contended with whatever you have. I started my political career as a Woman Leader in Ikere Ekiti, look at where I am today. If you display honesty, commitment and sincerity to your party, your party will recognise you.
“Councilorship position is just a stepping stone and not the end to itself, but if you do well by working hard with the executive to bring Governor Oyebanji’s policy to bare at the council level, you will go far politically. Our people must feel your positive impact. Remember that your tenure will last for just three years.
“Your total loyalty must be to Mr. Governor. He is the leader of the party in Ekiti State. I will deliver your message to Governor Oyebanji that you came to appreciate him for giving you the opportunity to serve”.
Mrs Afuye tasked them to begin aggressive mobilisation for APC, urging them to embark a process of poaching the opposition parties to shore up the support base of the ruling APC.
In his submission, an APC Leader, Hon. Bimbo Ogundipe, disclosed that the principal officers of the House were distributed based on the principles of equity and justice.
Ogundipe praised Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye’s leadership styles and their flares for justice, saying these had helped in stabilising the formerly rancorous politics of Ikere Ekiti.
Speaking for the Councilors, the Leader of the House, Hon. Seun Oloko, representing Atiba/Aafin Ward, promised that the team will work hard to promote development in Ikere Council.
Specifically, the House Leader, said the legislative arm would work harmoniously with the executive to bring radical development to the council, saying they won’t disappoint the APC-led government in its task to make Ekiti more progressive .
“We won’t disappoint the APC led government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji because the progress and development of Ikere Local Government is very dear to our hearts. We will work in tandem with the executive chairmen in the council and LCDA to make our dear noble town greater.
“We believe in loyalty and we won’t disappoint Governor Oyebanji and the Deputy Governor, because politics is about leadership and trust”.
