By Ayodele Abere
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you!” — Pericles
It was a gathering of people from diverse backgrounds including politics in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, comprising Ilawe, Igbara-Odo and Ogotun-Ekiti respectively on Saturday 6th July, 2024, as followers of one of the Senior Legislative Aides to the Deputy Senate President, Prince Ben Akinola from the three towns came out in their numbers at the residence of the appointee in Ilawe-Ekiti, to rejoice with him and also appreciate both the governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele popularly referred to as MOB for counting their own person worthy of the appointment among their numerous supporters.
Prince Ben Akinola who is one of the leaders of Ward 7 in Ilawe-Ekiti, while doling out cash gift to over fifty members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who worked with him before, during and after the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that are still very loyal to him, said the motive behind the cash gift to his followers was just to impress them having been in the struggle together from the ages past even though he explained that there’s no amount of money given to them that can be commensurated with the efforts and love they have exhibited so far.
Akinola, who was the Coordinator for Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State before the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, opined that the government cannot do everything alone and that when one is empowered, that there’s also a need for that person to empower others which according to him makes the governance and the dividends of democracy go round, and as well reduces poverty among the people.
“As far as Ekiti South West Local Government is concerned, I have a very good number of followers who are over twenty thousand. If I had extended invitation to all of them, they would have come, but there’s no resources to cater for them all for now. I have been keeping and sustaining my followers for a very long time and now that I have been given an appointment, I need to draw them closer the more”. Said the Prince.
The Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President, who appreciated Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele for his appointment, said the Governor has been performing wonderfully well to make the people of the state happier and improve the status of the State beyond what it used to be before he came to the helm of affair. He prayed that God will continue to help him to do more for the people of the State.
“Our Governor is a listening Governor. He has been doing very well but there are still so many areas for him to cover. May God help him. I will continue to wish him well and that his name will be written in gold for ever in the history of Ekiti State “. He remarked.
Also giving credence to the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the SLA described Bamidele as his leader, personal person and everything to him politically, saying MOB has always been a fantastic loyalist to his mentor, President Tinubu noting that he is a replica of the good deeds of Asiwaju politically, adding that he likes people and that he develops people as well. Prince Akinola therefore prayed for good health and longer life for him to be able to do more for the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Madam Elizabeth Apenileola, popularly known as Iya-Eta from ward 6, said Prince Ben Akinola is very popular among his people in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the State for his good attitude and kind gestures, and that she wasn’t taken aback by the the new development.
Iya-Eta noted that there are some who are in higher positions than the one that Prince Akinola is currently occupying but failed to remember their people. She described him as a very different man who is always concerned with the welfare of his people. She prayed God to take him to higher ground.
In a similar vein, Honourable Sola Olugbade, the Chairman of the APC, Ward 7, commended the appointee. He said Prince Akinola has been known for his philanthropic nature even before he was given an appointment. He equally prayed that God will take him far beyond his current position.
Aside the beneficiaries, there are other party leaders and members of the party, including friends and well wishers in attendance where special prayers were offered for both Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Prince Ben Akinola himself and everybody present at the occasion.
