We came, we saw, we conquered, by Dele Olugbemi

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 colleagues 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 is the outgoing Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.