By joshua 
A REJOINDER
My attention has been drawn to the paid write up by one Comrade temitope olufemi
Alleging that a call to vote for Hon. Karimi as the Senator Representing Yagba Senatorial District in the forthcoming Election. The write up is unfortunate and motivated merely by pecuniary benefits and self aggradisment.
I will like to state unequivocally that Hon. Karimi is an outstanding legislator with track record of exceptional performance and credibility to serve Kogi West in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Further, I will like to state for the records that there is no Federal Constituency in Kogi West Senatorial District that does not have persons who are credible and capable of outstanding performance as Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District.
Yagba Federal Constituency like other Federal Constituency have distinguished sons and daughters who are capable of exceptional performance in the Red Chamber of National Assembly.
It is important to note that the preamble to the 1999 Constitution provides that Nigeria is founded on principle of democracy and social justice. To this end Section 14 & 15(4) of the same Constitution preaches the equal participation by the people in their government and that the State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation(15(4).
As such it is only fair that since all the Federal Constituencies have distinguished personalities with capacity and Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency has served in the Senate for 8years, Kabba Bunnu Ijumu for 16years and no opportunity given to Yagba since 1999, it is only fair that a competent Yagba man represents Kogi West Senatorial District in 2023.
Of the two leading Candidates vying for Senate, Hon. Karimi happens to be from Yagba and he has shown vide his track record that he is an exceptional legislator worthy of being entrusted with the mandate of Kogi West Senatorial District.
The duty of Legislator is to make laws through Bills and Motions and to contribute to quality oversight the Executive.
A legislator also contributes to improvement of welfare of the people through developmental projects.
Karimi has shown capacity and credibility in his stewardship in Yagba and will definitely surpass his previous achievements when elected to the upper Chamber.
Below are some of the efforts and achievements of Hon Karimi between 2011-2019 when in the House of Representatives:
HON. KARIMI SUNDAY
1. Construction of 3 Blocks of Classrooms at Comprehensive High School, Okutadudu Odo-Ere, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
2. Construction of 3 Blocks of classrooms at ECWA secondary School (ESSMO), Mopa, MopaAmuro L.G.A., Kogi State.
3. Construction of 3 Blocks of classrooms at JNI Comprehensive High School, Ife-Olukotun, Yagba East L.G.A., Kogi State.
4. Construction of 3 Blocks of classrooms at African Church Secondary School, Isanlu, Yagba East L.G.A., Kogi State.
5 Construction of 3 Blocks of classrooms at Comprehensive High School, Oke Ate, Odo- Eri , Yagba West L.G.A., Kogi State.
6. Supply of two(2) number of transformers in Yagba East L.G.A, Kogi State
7. Nomination and Sponsorship of 12 candidates from the Federal Constituency for Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Skills Acquisition Programme through the House Committee on Industries in March 2018.
8. Nomination and Sponsorship of 61 Candidates/ Constituents for NDE- Apprenticeship Scheme.
9. Training of 12 artisans under the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)Programme with accredited vendors in Fabrication, Welding and Information Technology.
10. Sponsored 30 youths for the N-POWER Programme and the 3 Local Government Coordinators.
11. Distribution of 15Numbers Solar Panel Boreholes complete with 10,000 litres UPVC Tanks on 6 metres tower in communities across Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopa/Amuro Local Government in Yagba Federal Constituency, Kogi State. The Location of the Boreholes are as follows:
A. MOPAMURO
Ward 1
Ward 4
Takete Ide
Agbajogun
Okeagi
B. YAGBA EAST
Jege
Ijowa Ward 9
Ejuku
ECWA Seminary, OYI
Ife Olukotun.
Ponyan – by Ogbaowu
C.YAGBA WEST
Odo- Ere
Iyamerin
Isaba
Apoto
Ogga
12. Rehabilitation of 11 Number Boreholes in the three Local Governments
YAGBA WEST
Ijalu-Odo Egbe
Okoa-Odo Egbe
Oke-Ere
Oke-Egbe
Ogbe
YAGBA EAST
Makutu II-Isanlu
Makutu II-Isanlu
Mopo-Isanlu
Ife-Olukotun
MOPAMURO
Illai
Mopa
13. DISTRUBUTION OF 10 HANDPUMP BOREHOLES IN COMMUINITIES ACROSS THE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
YAGBA WEST
• Akata
• Oke-Egbe
• Odorome-Odo-Egbe
• Aringba-Odo-Egbe
YAGBA EAST
Imela
Igbo Ero
Itedo- Ijowa Isanlu
Ponyan
MOPAMURO
Ijagbe
Otafun
Mopa
14. Facilitated an ICT School Knowledge Centre under the Universal Service Provision Fund School Knowledge Centre, an Initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission through the House of Representatives Committee on Communications. The School Knowledge Centre is to being processed at Comprehensive College, Egbe, Yagba West Local Government, Kogi State.
15. Facilitated the Construction of 2 number of 3 classrooms with furniture in Titcombe College, Egbe in the 2017 Appropriation Act.
16. Rehabilitation of 80 number solar street light inclusive of charge of batteries and other accessories across the Federal Constituency.
17. Drilling of 6 nos. of hand pumps boreholes in communities in Area Council in Yagba West in the Federal Constituency.
18. Establishment of JAMB ICT Centre at Titcombe College Egbe with the supply of 69 units of HP Laptop computer meant for the centre have already been delivered. The remaining will be delivered by the contractor shortly.
19. Every December, he shared a trailer load of Rice (600 50kg) bags for members of the Federal Constituency to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
DIRECT EMPOWERMENTS
20. Distribution of 120 motorcycles, 20 tricycles, 40 sewing machines, 40 grinding machines, 10 generators, 2 block moulding engines to Youths, Women and artisans across the Federal Constituency in October 2016.
15. Distribution of drugs, insecticides, clothing materials and mosquito nets for women across the Federal Constituency.
16. He gave N20,000 as bursary to 20 selected Students each from the Three Local Governments of the Federal Constituency in October 2016.
17. He undertook the payment of Medical Bills, School Fees, Rent/Accommodation and other sundry expenses for numerous members of the Federal Constituency since assuming office.
MOTIONS
1. MOTION ON THE URGENT NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE DISBURSEMEMNT AND UTILISATION OF BAIL-OUT FUNDS TO STATE GOVERNMENTS
2. A MOTION ON THE NEED TO CONSOLIDATE ON THE GAINS RECOREDED IN THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE FORTHCOMING GUBERNATORIAL POLLS IN KOGI AND BAYELSA STATES.
3. A MOTION ON URGENT NEED TO FIND A LASTING SOLUTION TO THE INCESSANT VIOLENCE, LAWLESSNESS, IMPUNITY AND CRIMINALITY BETWEEN CATTLE HERDSMEN AND LOCALS NATIONWIDE.
4. MOTION ON THE PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION OF INDISCIPLINE ACT IN NIGERIA AND A NEED TO REORIENTATE NIGERIANS AT ALL LEVELS TO EMBRACE THE VALUE OF DISCIPLINE, HARDWORKING AND INTEGRITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR NATIONAL LIFE.
5. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE ON THE ILLEGALITY IN REMOVAL OF SPEAKER OF THE KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON 16TH FEBRAURY 2016
6. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE, THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE HUNGER, HARDSHIP AND THE DEPRICIATING WELFARE OF MASSES ALL OVER NIGERIA.
7. MOTION ON THE NEED TO RESQUE THE NAIRA FROM CONTINOUS FREE FALL.
8. MOTION ON THE NEED TO UNMASK THE PERPETRATORS OF GHOST WORKER SYNDICATES IN THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE.
9. MOTION ON THE MONETARY POLICY OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA: UNDUE EXPLOITATION OF CITIZENS BY COMMERCIAL BANKS.
10. MOTION ON THE URGENT NEED TO CONDEMN AND STOP VOTE BUYING DURING ELECTIONS.
11. MOTION ON THE NEED TO ENFORCE REGSTRATION OF MOTORCYCLES AND TRYCYCLES ON ALL PUBLIC ROADS IN NIGERIA.
12. MOTION ON THE MONETARY POLICY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: UNDUE EXPLOITATION OF THE CITIZENS BY COMMERCIAL BANKS.
14. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE : MOTION ON NEED TO CONDUCT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS DEVOID OF STATE HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION IN ANAMBRA STATE ON 18TH NOVEMBER 2017.
15. MOTION ON NEED TO BE PATROTIC ABOUT THE STATE OF HEALTH OF THE PRESIDENT.
16. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE: URGENT NEED FOR THE ACTING PRESIDENT TO SWEAR-IN AND APPORTION OFFICE TO MINISTER DESIGNATE FROM KOGI AND GOMBE STATES.
17. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE : URGENT NEED TO SAVE THE SOULS OF KOGI PEOPLE.
18. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE: THE RECURRING FUEL
CRISIS IN NIGERIA.
19. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE: NIGERIA-CLARION CALL FOR NATIONAL UNITY: UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.
20. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE : URGENT NEED TO FOSTER NATIONAL UNITY.
21. MOTION ON URGENT NED TO INVESTIGATE THE DISBURSEMENT AND UTILIZATION OF BAIL OUT FUNDS TO STATE GOVERNMENTS
22. MOTION OF URGENT NATION IMPORTANCE: URGENT NEED TO CHECK THE IMPORTATION OF FIREMARS AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT INTO THE COUNTRY BY POLITICIANS AND PRIVATE CITIZENS.
23. MOTION OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE: URGENT NEED TO STOP THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE FROM EXPENDING THE LAST TRANCHE OF THE ABACHA LOOT OR ANY RECOVERED LOOT AT ALL WITHOUT PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL.
8th ASSEMBLY BILLS 2015 TILL DATE
1. Cancer Prevention and Control Bill 2015
2. Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill 2016, H.B. 413
3. Constitution Alteration Bill (No. 1) 2016 H.B. 421
(Amendment of sections 88 and 89 to make non-justiciable invitation and investigative powers of the National Assembly)
4. Constitution Alteration Bill (No. 2) 2016, H.B. 820
(Amendment to make the CJN responsible for the appointment of Chairman and Members of National Assembly Tribunals)
5. Constitution Alteration Bill (No. 3) H.B. 564
(To expand the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Nigeria)
6. Constitution Alteration Bill (No. 4) H.B. 565
(To preclude National Courts from interfering in Legislative Summons)
7. Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2015. H.B. 988.
(Death of President and Governors during ongoing elections)
8. Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 (H.B. 165).
9. Supreme Court (Additional original jurisdiction)Bill 2016.
10. Regulation and Control of Delegated Legislation Bill 2017
11. The Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2018
BILLS FROM LAST ASSEMBLY ( BROUGHT VIA ORDER XII RULE 94 & 96 STANDING ORDER OF THE HOUSE)
1. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ROLLOVER BILL 2016
2. NATIONAL GRAZING ROUTE AND RESERVE BILL 2016
3. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ACT 2016
4. FEDERAL ROAD FUND BILL 2016
5. EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE BILL 2016
It is therefore unfortunate that a faceless Comrade Temitope Olafemi who has little or no public service achievement calls the clamour for the candidacy of Hon Karimi for Kogi West Senate as Sectional or lacking in capacity.
From the brief stewardship account above, it is crystal clear that a vote for Hon Karimi Sunday Steve as Senator representing Kogi West, is not only a call to uphold the Constitution, but also a call for Yagba for Senate, a call for equity and equality, a call for quality equal opportunity representation and call for good governance.
I therefore urge us all in Kogi West and indeed in Okunland to disregard in it’s entirety the paid post of the Comrade and vote for Hon. Karimi Sunday Steve for good representation in 2023.
Olutoyese Ibitoye Esq writes from the Office of the Speaker, National Assembly, 3Arms Zone, FCT, Abuja.