EKITI KOYA wrote ; WHY WE STRUCK The dream of our forefathers that fought the historical Kiriji war is development where all and sundry would have economic growth and political independence. Ekiti as we all know is a peculiar setting where the homogeneity as a people is second to none in the sub-Saharan region. The presumed independence in politics was affirmed in 1996 with the pronouncement of the Head of the then Military Junta, General Sanni Abacha declaring Ekiti as a state in the Federation which was a result of the agelong agitation for a state in the entity called Nigeria. Historically, Ekitis are known to be the Fountain of Knowledge and the state up till now still parades the highest number of professors in the country. It is also interesting that in every household in Ekiti, there cannot be less than three university or polytechnic graduates and up till today their thirst for more education is still very high. Going down the memory lane, Ekitis have never been in the forefront of the political engineering since the pre-independent era of the Western region and even till the Post independent era. It should be historically noted that during the era of Awolowo/Akintola of the Old Western Region, Ekitis have always relied on Ijebus, the Oyos, the Ijeshas and the Lagosians for political direction. It is also interesting to note that Ekitis were greatly subsumed into mere followership, apostleship and discipleship by the old government of the then western region. They were never politically ambitious, they were contented with whichever direction the Ijebus, the Egbas and the Oyos laid down for them politically. That is why we never heard from history that an Ekitiman ever fought for political leadership in the old western region. The best they were getting was just mere cabinet membership and advisers. It was also an uncontrovertible fact that Ekiti academics were the brainbox of the then government of the old western region. It would also be interesting that the same politically lukewarm attitude was carried over to the old Ondo State when the defunct UPN took over. Ekiti was never offered the first fiddle but the second. When Late Akin Omoboriowo tried to rock the boat, he met a brickwall even from his Ekiti kinsmen who never believed in the fact that an Ekitiman should ever be a head of Government. Now that we have gotten our own state since 1996, and democracy had commenced since 1999, can Ekiti people boast of the fact that they have ever gotten the chance of electing their leader? No. Because covertly or overtly, the other assumed superior tribes i.e the Egbas, Ijebus, Oyos and Osuns still choose our leaders for us under the guise of political party supremacy whose godfathers have never been Ekitis but Ijebus, Lagosians, Ondos, Osuns and Oyos. Lest I forget, even our own Evangelist Olumilua that was elected Governor of Ondo State got there through the blessings and dictates of the Late Chief Adekunle Ajasin from Owo, Ondo State. Going down the history, Otunba Niyi Adebayo clinched the Governorship with the strong backing of an Afenifere clique that operated under a tree in late Pa. Adesanya’s Compound at far away in Ijebu-Igbo. Dr. Ayodele Fayose although came in initially as an independent candidate but Obasanjo, the then President and an Egbanian had to come down from Abuja to tell Ekiti people that Fayose was the man and he became Governor. Engineer Olusegun Oni’s case was obvious. This was a man that came third in primaries and the Egba big man in Aso Rock in the person of Obasanjo summon all the PDP aspirants and by a mere statement of the mouth ordered that Akerele that came first should step down for Oni and right there in Aso Rock, Oni got the ticket of PDP and became Governor. Feyemi’s case is also not different. There was a primary election in ACN which was reportedly won by somebody else but the ACN leader, a Lagosian, twisted the result in Fayemi’s favour and of course the resultant effect was the efflux of over 12 gubernatorial aspirants from AC to PDP in protest. What we now have is the Ekiti Government just like any other previous one remote controlled this time around from Lagos. With this historical trend, what is the result? The result has been Capital flight, Economic Export, godfatherism, Economic decimation of the people, unemployment, poverty and poor infrastructure in view of the Adage that says “he who plays the piper dictates the time”. Now, we are approaching another political dispensation and of course, the agents of Lagos and Otta strongmen are gradually moving into town to start organizing structures to be governors. Why? Why is it that it is only when people want to be governors that they remember that Ekiti is still existing? Where have they been since the inception of the State? Right from Niyi Adebayo to Kayode Fayemi, can any of the former Governors boast of any selfless community development efforts in Ekiti for at least five years before coming to show intention to be Governor or even just their presence in any form. It is noteworthy that in Ondo State, since inception, homebased people have been governors till today and presently Mimiko has demonstrated the fact that there is neither capital flight nor godfatherism in Ondo State politics which is clearly depicted in the rate of infrastructural development that is going on. Now, Ekitikoya is formed by Ekitimen and women who believe that it is now time for Ekiti people to have their own political independence and the group is poised to facilitate appropriate directions towards this. Ekitikoya, through adequate publicity, political re-orientation and enlightenment will ensure that the installation of a homebased and home grown government is achieved come next election.Most of the former and current people in government leave the state immediately after leaving office and invest their loots in Lagos, Abuja and abroad having milked the poor state dry during their tenure. We are soliciting the support of all Ekiti sons and daughters in the actualization and realization of this historical dream where we would have for once, a real EKITI GOVERNMENT and the economy of Ekiti would start residing in Ekiti. THE TIME IS NOW!
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 05:00:47 +0000