We Came, We Saw, We Conquered—Rt. Hon. Dele Olugbemi

By Lere Olayinka
Click for Full Image Size

It is fittingly perfect at this point to say Goodbye to the good people of Ekiti State. Although, we were voted for in 2011 and inaugurated as members of fourth Ekiti State House of Assembly in June 6, 2011. But the challenge and rescue mission of our effort started in November, 2014.

When Ekiti was in dire need of good people of good conscience to stand

in the gap and we the seven Akonis of Ekiti Land put ourselves forward

for the service of our fatherland.
We are not unaware of our glorious past in Ekiti Land, the land that

holds tenaciously to fidelity to principles, principles and values for

which we are so highly regarded. These include; industry, discipline,

ascetic disposition, honour, dignity, courage, courteousness and an

unrivalled commitment to knowledge and scholarship.

In the 19th century, when the Ajeles from Ibadan wanted to debase our

core values and principles, our worthy forbears rose up and resisted

them with everything in them.
Now, when some of our people decided to collaborate with New Ajele

from Lagos to truncate the relative peace we are enjoying in Ekiti.

They absconded from their duties, so that the government of Ayodele

Fayose would be grounded.
They knew that nature avoids vacuum and without them, nothing will

work. But, alas! We came and filled the gap. As in the words of

Martin Luther King " the ultimate measure of a man is not in where he

stands in moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at

times of challenges and controversy."
We did not mind our personals comfort not safety, but rather the good

of majority of Ekiti People.
The words of God in Esther 5:13-14 gave us strength "Then Mordecai

commanded to answer Esther, think not well theyself that thou shalt

escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou

altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shalt there

enlargement and deliverance to the Jews from another place; but thou

and thy father's house shall be destroyed and who knoweth whether thou

art come to the kingdom for such a time as this." We also knew that

tough times never last, but tough people do, once you are in a fight,

don't spare yourself. Give it everything you've got.

If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long dark and

shameful corridor of time reserved for those who possess power without

compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. We

were faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We were confronted

with the fierce urgency of action.
We acted in the best interest of Ekiti people and we know that

posterity will be kind unto us all.
To the newly elected members of the five Ekiti State house of

Assembly, I urge you to put Ekiti people, stability of this government

led by Peter Ayodele Fayose and the peace of the land as your number

one priority.
Like the Bible says "seek ye first the kingdom of God and every other

things shall be added to you" When you seek the peace of Ekiti, you

shall prosper. Let the words of John F. Kenedy be your cornerstone.

He said and I quote "My fellow citizen of the world; ask not what

America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom

of man."
Let the freedom of Ekiti be paramount to you. Now, let us begin, now

let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter but beautiful

struggle for a new Ekiti.
I appreciate the support and sacrifice of my honourable colleague s

who stood by me during the turbulent time, may the good Lord reward

you handsomely.
I also thank our Royal Fathers whose advice and encouragement helped us a lot.

We also appreciate the support of the Iyalajes and Iyalojas and the

people of Ekiti who rally round us at the trying moment. May we have

the Ekiti of our dream.
I encourage all to give all the support to our amiable governor; Peter

Ayodele Fayose so as to take Ekiti to next level.
I say goodbye and God bless us all.
Rt. Hon. Dele Olugbemi
The Out-going Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly