By Kehinde Adewale – Ibadan
Ahead of the next political dispensation in Nigeria and in continuation of Governor Yahaya Bello presidential ambition, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole met with the Ohinoyi of Ebira indigene living in the Southwest in Ibadan yesterday, HRH Alhaji Aliyu Balogun.
The meeting which was held at the palace of the Royal Father in Mokola area of Ibadan has in attendance some Chiefs and other prominent indigenes of Ebira land in Ibadan.
According to him, the meeting was facilitated by Engr. O.J Ojo Jimoh, whom he met in a function in Ibadan and after much discussion about the presidential aspiration of Governor Yahaya Bello, then it was agreed to meet with leadership of Ebira people in Ibadan which cover the entire southwest.
He commended the people for living peacefully with their host community, stressing that the presidential ambition of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a project that is achievable considering his giant strides in the area of security, infrastructure development, civil service reform, unification of religion and tribal differences in Kogi State which can be replicated at the national level.
He charged them to continue to be a good ambassadors that will spread the gospel of the Governor to their host communities in the southwest, stressing that it is more of advantage to have a young, vibrant, energetic, dynamic and pragmatic individual like Alhaji Yahaya Bello who have shown enormous political will to confront various challenges rising its ugly heads against the Nigeria state to be the next president of the country.
He said it is time for Nigerians to rise beyond primordial issues of rotational arrangement that has not taken the country anywhere, pointing out that Governor Yahaya Bello has the capacity and courage to reposition the country for the betterment of all.
Earlier, the facilitator of the meeting Engr. Ojo Jimoh commended the Speaker for his humility and down to earth lifestyle, stressing that he has displaced a rare loyalty in discharging his duty as the Number 3vcitizen of the state.
According to him, he was surprised the way the Speaker attended to him without considering his position and without much discussion, he agreed to meet with the Ohinoyi of Ebira in Ibadan in under 48hrs.
He said haven lived in the southwest throughout his life because he was born in Owo, Ondo state before he moved to live in Ibadan, pointing out that he has contested for both Council and Assembly positions in Ibadan, it is imperative to point out that Ibadan/Yoruba people are lovable and accommodating.
He noted that as a politician in Ibadan who worked with the former Governor of Oyo state, late Senator Abiola Ajomobi, he has many friends across board that will be ready to key into the project being a young vibrant man but they need to be properly carried along as events unfold going forward.
He said Alhaji Yahaya Bello has not disappointed Ebira nation as Governor of Kogi State, prayed that God will fulfill his heart desires and bring the aspiration to fruition come 2023.
While thanking the Speaker for the love shown to visit them, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliyu Balogun said they will be glad such meetings continue as the project is their project being an Ebira indigene, stressing that it will be their greatest joy to see one of them lead the country Nigeria come 2023.
He said with the turn of things in the area of security and infrastructures development in Okene and other senatorial districts in the state, they are confident if he is given a chance he will transform the country in no distant time.
He specially appreciated the Speaker for finding time to meet with them despite it not being part of his schedule while in Ibadan, praying that God will also fulfill his heart’s desires.
At the end of the meeting, prayers were offered for President Mohammadu Buhari, his cabinet, the country and Governor Yahaya Bello to find favour in the sight of God to take him to another level of leadership in Nigeria.