Director General of the Remi Oseni Campaign Council (ROCC), Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela has said that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was being economical with the truth and displayed ignorance in some of his actions, particularly the statement credited to him during his campaign on whose turn to represent Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.
The federal constituency which consists of Ido and Ibarapa East Local Governments has been enjoying rotation of power irrespective of any political faith based on the political tradition until 2015 when people from Ibarapa East held sway to have an undue advantage over their Ido local government neighbour.
Olowofela, who is also the commissioner representing Oyo state at the Federal Character Commission (FCC) was reacting to Governor Makinde’s remarks during his re-election campaign at Ido town, where the governor claimed that he deliberately settled for the PDP house of representatives candidate from Ibarapa East local government against other candidates in Ido local government because he was fighting for fairness, justice, and equity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, by the Director of Media and Publicity, Remi Oseni Campaign Council (ROCC), Idowu Ayodele, the former council chairman emphasized that it is the turn of the Ido Local Government Area of the state to produce the next lawmaker to represent its federal constituency of Ibarapa East/Ido.
“I have watched various steps taken by Governor Seyi Makinde, I found him to be ignorant in some of his actions. In particular, the story credited to him during his campaign on whose turn to represent Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency. For the benefit of the doubt, we need to inform Governor Makinde and his Co-travellers that, it is long overdue for Ido Local Government to represent both local Governments in the National Assembly. We need to do some historical analysis for him, to educate and elucidate the facts, and why it ought to be Ido Local Government.
“In the year 1999-2003, 2003-2007, Hon. Sadiq Sanusi Anwo from Ido Local Government became the Honourable representing the constituency, the year 2007-2011, Hon. Yemi Taiwo from Ibarapa East Local Government represented the Constituency.
“Subsequently, years 2011-2015, 2015-2019, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, popularly known as ‘Omoyin’ from Ibarapa East Local Government also represented the Constituency again. While in the year 2019- 2023, Hon. Yemi Taiwo from Ibarapa East Local Government, who had earlier occupied the seat between 2007-2011, is the incumbent House of Representatives member.
“The simple arithmetic is that Ido Local Government has represented the Constituency in 8 years. While Ibarapa East Local Government has represented both Local Governments in the 16 years.
“If Governor Seyi Makinde, the Apostle of fairness, justice, and equity will look at the years of representation, it should be obvious to him that it is the turn of Ido Local Government”, the statement explained.
While admitting that the choice of candidate is by election, the former Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, further noted that of all the candidates jostling for the position of House of Representatives of Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, who he said has renewed the hope of the depressed constituents through his various intervention projects and programs, is the best candidate.
“No doubt, the constituents have resolved to freely give their mandate to Engr. Remi Oseni of the All Progressives Congress (APC) this Saturday, 25th of February. In a credible and fair election, Oseni stands pole apart from any other candidates. Once again, I admonish all the good people of Ibarapa East and Ido local governments to vote for competence, fairness, justice, and equity. Vote Remi Oseni, the man with fear of God”, Olowofela added.
