By Editor
Gladiators and critical political stakeholders in Ekiti State on Friday met in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital to emphasize the need for a violence and rancour free electoral campaigns ahead of the forthcoming June 20, governorship election in the State.
They converged at a roundtable discussion organized by a foremost non-governmental socio-economic organisation, Ekiti Future Agenda (EFA).
Convener of the event, Adesina Adetola in his keynote address said the event was aimed at reshaping political discuss and practice with the theme; Ekiti State First, A pact for positive growth, prioritizing state development , promoting Ekiti values’
He said; “We are projecting a state whose future matters most. We want to see our politicians talking about the state’s true development and genuine growth not just about their political ambitions”
Elder Ayo Arogundade, Chartered Librarian and Public Affairs analyst in his presentation sued for unity and peaceful conduct amongst politicians and see Ekiti first in all their estimation.
His words; “We should play on our Unity rather than diversity, whether Ekiti South, Ekiti North, Ekiti Central, all have Ekiti before them. Politics should be about service to the people, if you have a profession or occupation before your political office, after your tenure you should return there, as Politics is not a career.”
Other discussants at the event which include the spokesperson of the ruling APC, Barrister Segun Dipe, Chairman of the State’s Inter-Party Advocacy Committee, who is also the State Chairman of the Accord Party, Adeniji Akinropo, State Secretary, Oguntoye Oluwafemi, the State’s Public Relations Officer of the PRP and Teniola Akande representating the PDP,.
Others include the Media Coordinator of the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Olofinkuade Femi Robinson,.the governorship candidate of AAC , Segun Akande, the deputy governorship candidate of Accord Party,, Omoyeni Bayode as.well.as.a renowned political scholar in the state Aruleba Oke.
They were unanimous on the mantra that election should never be a do or die affair but rather about development and growth of mankind and the society at large.
According to one of the discussants, Adeniji Akinropo Philip; “Win or lose, Ekiti must be peaceful. Though, many are contesting, and we are winners, but a winner must emerge. We must all have the interest of Ekiti in mind, which is why after the elections we should all come together to support whoever emerges in progressing Ekiti.”
Speaking in similar vein, Oguntoye Oluwafemi, the State Secretary AAC said “We beseech INEC, media, Security Personnels, the ruling party, to provide a level playing field for the Pre, during, Post Election processes. Either ‘big or small’ as used by people to describe political parties, no political party should be treated with bias as all political parties, as far as they were registered should be treated equally.”
Teniola A, the PRP Public Relations Officer in his remarks said; “Politicians should have a narrative of people first before politics, which will allow a peaceful electoral process. Political actors should totally put aside the perspective of being loyal to a party, due to the financial or material benefits they get from the party and put the interest of the average Ekiti man in mind, so the state can prosper and move forward.”
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the All Progressive Congress Ekiti State, Segun Dipe in his contribution believed that the state is in safe hands saying; “Ekiti state currently led by Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has in all way and in every possible sense invested the resources of the state in developing the state in every sector to make lives better and to strengthen the hope of our future.” he said.
In her charge to the political actors, the moderator of the roundtable session, Labake Akinyemi-Oke said; “Politicians should always think about the people first and always take into consideration the societal well-being. This represents the only reason they are elected.”
Conclusively at the end of the brainstorming session all participants the participants, including the Convener, made a categorical and bold statement that the Ekiti electoral campaign is going to be violence free and peaceful devoid of thuggery, fake news and false propaganda.
