Respectable interest groups within the All Progressives Congress political enclave in Ekiti State have appealed to the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Hon Ibrahim Olanrewaju, not to resign from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Cabinet.
The group said resigning to wrestle power from the current representative of the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Hon Kolawole Akinlayo, would not only be a great disservice to Moba Local Government, but to the entire Ekiti populace.
The admonition was contained in a letter addressed to Hon Olanrewaju and jointly signed by the coordinators of APC Professional Council (Moba LG), Mr Ayeni Ifeoluwa and APC Youth League (Moba LG), Com Adeosun Oluwafemi and made available to journalists in Otun Ekiti, on Wednesday.
The appeal stemmed from the swirling rumour that the former House of Representatives member, was plotting to resign and vie against his kinsman from Moba LG, Hon Kolawole for APC ticket for the 2027 election.
They averred that Olanrewaju resigning to contest against Hon Akinlayo will reduce the number of appointments Ekiti savours at the federal level and as well cut off one of the bridges that link the state to President Tinubu.
The groups added that Olanrewaju will be doing a great harm to Moba Council should he plunge into the race and divide the votes against his kinsman at the primary, noting that contestants from Ido/Osi and Ilejemeje Local Governments may snatch the ticket from the council.
They stoutly maintained that Moba Local Government is politically placed in a good stead under the current arrangement, where a House of representatives member and a presidential aide both hailed from the council.
The groups urged Olanrewaju to be patriotic enough and defer his aspiration till future date to avert dangerous political scheming that could end up having a pernicious effect on Ekiti and its relevance at the federal pedestal..
“The sons and daughters of MOBA land, under the above named groups, (APC Professional Council and APC Youth League) jointly write to you today with a deep sense of concern and humility to appeal to your esteemed personality to reconsider in the best interest of Moba any thought of resigning your current appointment to pursue the House of Representatives ticket.
“We understand ambition. However, we implore you to distinguish between individual ambition and collective gains.
“Currently, Moba/Ido-Osi/Ilejemeje federal constituency is enjoying a period of unprecedented representation under your own kinsman, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole with outstanding performance considered not only adequate but also excellent. Hence, secured the satisfaction of the entire constituency to ensuring that the dividends of democracy flow steadily.
“To challenge this status quo would not be a contest of capabilities, but a disruption of momentum, because we believed that partnership is more valuable than anybody’s candidacy, given the following grounds.
“Today, Moba LG has two distinctive voices at the highest levels of governance. Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole holds the legislative seat, fighting for constituency projects and federal allocations. You hold a strategic executive seat, advising the President on how to manage the legislature.
“If you resign, Moba LG loses one of these seats. However, if you stay, it possesses a unique political asset: a direct pipeline to the Presidency and a strongman in the House. This is the definition of synergy, where the combined effort is greater than the sum of their individual efforts”.
“A primary contest within the same family risks dividing our votes and weakening our collective bargaining power. By joining forces with Hon. Kolawole for his re-election, you are not stepping back but stepping up as the political leader of our future. You ensure that Moba LG remains the epicenter of decision-making for the entire constituency, rather than risking the seat shifting to another Local Government Area due to a split vote”, they stated. .
The groups opined that any attempt to guillotine the innovations and democracy dividends being attracted to the Constituency by current occupant of the seat could spell doom for the future of the area.
Rather than embarking on a political voyage that could be harmful to the collective gains of the state, they appealed to Hon Olanrewaju to leverage his current executive influence to ensure projects allotted to Ekiti are approved and funded by the Presidency.
“We are not asking you to abandon your dreams but pleading with you to time them wisely and execute them collaboratively. Hon. Kolawole is performing excellently, and the people are satisfied. Do not shortchange Moba LG by trading a sure seat at the executive table for an uncertain primary battle.
“Stay, Partner, Deliver a second term for Hon. Kolawole, and use your position to make the federal government irresistible to our constituency. When the time is right, your synergy has developed our land, your path will be even clearer and your support, unshakeable.
“Let us build first, before we rebuild. The future of Moba LG depends on the wisdom we apply today”, they concluded.