By Ayodele Abere
The lawmaker representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole, has dismissed reports suggesting that a candidate has been endorsed to replace him ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the April Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, in Ado-Ekiti, Kolawole described the claims as baseless and misleading. He stated that no individual has been officially endorsed by stakeholders or constituents in the constituency.
Kolawole said his re-election bid remains on course, citing his accessibility and relationship with constituents as key factors in his confidence to return to the National Assembly. He disclosed that he has begun engaging the National Assembly Secretariat in Abuja to obtain his nomination form.
Addressing his entry into politics, the lawmaker said poverty and limited opportunities in rural communities motivated him to seek elective office.
“Governance should be about impact, not titles,” he said, adding that his mandate is to bring federal presence closer to his constituents.
Legislative and Constituency Projects
Kolawole said he has sponsored two establishment bills, including one for a Federal School of Nursing in Ikosu-Ekiti. He noted that a presidential ban affecting such institutions is in place for seven years but said he would engage relevant authorities, arguing that the ban should not affect schools related to health and agriculture.
On infrastructure, he listed interventions in Otun community where he facilitated the restoration of electricity after a year-long outage. He also cited grading of rural roads, provision of solar-powered streetlights, and renovation of classroom blocks across the three local government areas in the constituency.
Empowerment and Education
The lawmaker said his office has implemented multiple empowerment programmes for artisans, traders, and small-scale business owners. Hundreds of youths and women, he added, have benefited from skills acquisition training, start-up grants, and distribution of working tools.
On education, Kolawole said he instituted a bursary scheme for indigent students in tertiary institutions, with priority given to students with a CGPA of 3.5 and above. He also stated that his office sponsors JAMB registration for students annually and funds three-month CBT training to improve performance. Candidates who score above 300 in the UTME receive additional rewards.
He disclosed plans for a mega empowerment programme to distribute cars and other items to constituents.
Employment and Security
Kolawole said he has facilitated employment opportunities for youths in the constituency but does not publicise such interventions. “If you are helping people and posting it online, I see that as a poverty mentality,” he stated.
On security, he said he convened a summit with traditional rulers to address insecurity in Ikun and surrounding areas. The meeting led to the procurement of motorcycles for local vigilantes and recruitment of indigenous hunters to strengthen community security.
He added that he appointed a Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs and provides stipends to traditional stakeholders to ensure they benefit from democratic dividends.
Pending Bills
The lawmaker said he is working on two new bills. The first seeks to review the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme to improve its value to participants. The second addresses post-service employment, proposing alternative models to reduce overdependence on white-collar jobs.
“In my constituency, nobody has been endorsed. You cannot endorse someone who is not connected to the people. There are no endorsements anywhere, only rumours. I am confident of victory. I am accessible, the people love me and I love them,” Kolawole said.
He noted that he joined politics in 2016, contested in 2019 without securing the party ticket, and won the seat in 2023.
