Federal lawmakers from Nigeria’s South-west geopolitical zone have celebrated elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, describing him as a courageous defender of Yoruba interests and a symbol of integrity, selflessness and democratic struggle.

The lawmakers, under the platform of the National Assembly South West Caucus, also stated that Pa Fasoranti’s long-standing dream of a truly federal and equitable Nigeria is gradually becoming a reality through ongoing constitutional and governance reforms.

The caucus chairman and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.

According to Bamidele, Fasoranti remains one of the last surviving disciples of late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo, and has consistently demonstrated the Yoruba ideals of Omoluabi through honour, discipline, integrity and service to humanity.

He recalled that Fasoranti served meritoriously during the Second Republic in the administration of late Governor Adekunle Ajasin in old Ondo State, where he contributed significantly to the development of the people.

Bamidele further praised the elder statesman for standing firmly against military dictatorship after the collapse of the Second Republic and for actively supporting the struggle that eventually led to the return of democratic governance in 1999.

“Baba Fasoranti perfectly embodies the Yoruba values of Omoluabi — honour, integrity, leadership and selflessness,” the statement said.

The Senate Leader noted that despite the return to democracy, Fasoranti has remained committed to advocating for a peaceful, prosperous and fair Nigeria, while offering guidance and mentorship to leaders across the country.

He said the National Assembly is aware of the elder statesman’s desire for a more balanced federal structure and is already taking steps to strengthen governance and decentralise power.

According to him, lawmakers are working on reforms aimed at making Nigeria’s federal system more competitive, productive and efficient.

Bamidele disclosed that the proposed establishment of state police is one of the key constitutional amendments being pursued by the 10th National Assembly to address insecurity across the federation.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would become a reality within Fasoranti’s lifetime.

The Senate Leader also highlighted the establishment of regional development commissions across the country, explaining that the commissions were designed to tackle infrastructure deficits and promote economic growth in all geopolitical zones.

He added that the National Assembly has also introduced fiscal reforms to support the implementation of development-focused initiatives across the country.

Bamidele prayed for continued strength, sound health and long life for the Afenifere leader, describing his longevity and mental alertness at 100 as evidence of God’s grace and mercy.

He assured that the lawmakers remain committed to pursuing policies and reforms that would promote equity, justice and national prosperity in line with the ideals Fasoranti has championed over the years.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has recorded another political boost following the defection of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Alade, to the ruling party.

Alade formally joined the APC on Sunday during a well-attended ceremony held in Awo Ward, alongside his supporters and political associates.

The event attracted party leaders, stakeholders and supporters from across the local government area, with many describing the development as a significant addition to the APC’s growing grassroots influence in the state.

Welcoming the defectors on behalf of the APC leadership in Irepodun/Ifelodun, the party Chairman, Mr Ope Ogundele, represented by the party Secretary, Hon. Ige Oladipupo, assured Alade and his supporters of equal rights and opportunities within the party.

He stated that the APC remained open to progressive-minded individuals willing to contribute to the growth and development of Ekiti State.

Speaking at the event, Alade said his decision to leave the PDP was influenced by the developmental strides of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji across the state, particularly in the areas of healthcare and infrastructure development in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

He cited the upgrade of the maternity centre in the area, the establishment of a new general hospital and other ongoing projects as evidence of responsive and people-oriented governance.

According to him, Governor Oyebanji’s inclusive leadership style and commitment to grassroots development convinced him to align with the APC.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, who attended the event, described the defection as a reflection of the growing confidence residents have in the Oyebanji administration.

Olatunbosun commended the leadership of the APC in Irepodun/Ifelodun for sustaining unity within the party and urged members to remain committed to mobilising support for the government at the grassroots.

He expressed optimism that the defection of Alade and his supporters would further strengthen the APC’s structure in the local government and consolidate the party’s dominance ahead of future elections.

…Says Ekiti ‘ll appreciate FG projects with massive votes for Tinubu

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has canvassed a peaceful conduct of the June 20 governorship election saying his re-election bid does not worth the blood of any citizen of the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer spoke on Friday while addressing rallies at Emure, Ise/Orun and Ikere Local Government Areas in continuation of his campaign and statewide engagement with citizens and stakeholders ahead of the governorship poll.

Rounding off the campaign for the day in Ikere Ekiti, the Governor emphasised his stand against violent and bloody electioneering, urging members of his party to remain calm, work assiduously and reply the opposition with a resounding victory on June 20.

The Governor noted that since he started the statewide citizens’ engagements and campaign tour since Monday, there have been no record of violence anywhere and he wants the momentum of peaceful conduct and issue- based campaigns sustained throughout the electioneering period down till results are declared.

He had earlier in the day made a case for a peaceful and violence-free election at Emure Ekiti, his first port of call, where he appealed to APC members, members of other political parties and all citizens and residents of the state not to be involved in any act that could lead to loss of lives at the poll.

The Governor specifically stressed that his quest for a second term in office should not come at the expense of human lives as he hopes to secure a historic re-election under the atmosphere of peace and harmony for which the state has been famous under his watch.

Showing the statesman in him who prioritises the welfare of his people, Oyebanji again reiterated the readiness of his party and its teeming members to toe the line of peace before, during and after the election to allow for a successful conduct of the poll.

He said: “As we go back to our wards and polling units, let us be at peace with one another. The APC is a party of peace, a party of order and a party of process. We should not fight with anybody. We started the campaign on Monday and we have not had problem anywhere and that speaks to our party’s love for peace and unity.

“Our ambition, my ambition and the ambition of every other person in Ekiti State do not worth the blood of any Ekiti man. By God’s grace, this election will hold and we will all be alive and in good health when our government is re-elected. All of us shall have our share in the prosperity it will bring.”

He used the opportunity of the Ikere rally to commend the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye whom she praised for her steadfastness, loyalty and being a good ambassador of the town and a co-pilot in the success story the administration has become so far.

The Governor said his administration’s projects in Ikere including Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Ikere-Ilawe Road, agric project, Moshood Road and Ikere-Akure Highway executed by the President Bola Tinubu Administration should motivate the people to retain APC in power both at the state and the federal levels.

He urged party member to embark on aggressive membership drive and mobilisation by making friends with eligible voters with voter’s cards for the minimum target of 500,000 winning vote tally to be realised.

Speaking in Emure Ekiti and Ise Ekiti, the Governor urged party leaders and members to work on non-party members and other citizens who possess voters’ cards as the APC hopes to secure 80 percent of the votes of registered voters in the local government areas.

Scores of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and members joined the APC at the Emure rally hinging their action on the popularity of the Governor and the impact of his administration on the lives of the people.

Oyebanji said he was happy with the sense of appreciation of the people of Emure on projects delivered in the town which include roads, schools, youth in commercial agriculture, security of lives and property adding that the people of the state are benefiting from key projects executed by the Tinubu Administration.

He said: “As you all know, APC is a party of peace, law and order and we desire a peaceful election. My (second term) ambition does not worth the blood of any Ekiti man or woman. Let us be at peace with ourselves. I have absolute confidence in the ability of Emure electorates to vote wisely and vote for our party.

“APC is the only party that can give prosperity, peace , employment and amenities that make life easier for our people. Journey from Akure to Ikere now takes less than thirty minutes because of the work done on the road through President Tinubu.

“Ikere-Emure Road has been done and the only thing we can do to make our President happy is to vote for his party because APC is the only party that can give prosperity, peace and employment. Let us sustain that and ensure the continuity of good things.”

“The only thing we can do to say thank you to President Bola Tinubu is to vote for the party. APC is the only party that can give prosperity, peace and employment. To ensure the continuity of all these things, we need to vote for APC.

“The target we set for our party is 177–0. We are expecting nothing less than 80% of the total registered voters. Let us go back to our wards and units to canvass for votes. If you vote for us, you have voted for progress and development.”

Addressing the rally in Ise Ekiti, the Governor assured that work would soon start on Ise-Ijan Road to boost transport, commerce, agriculture and connect the local government area with other parts of the state.

He further disclosed the intention of his administration to commence on the Olowe Museum to boost arts, culture and tourism in the ancient town and its environs.

Describing Ise/Orun as critical to the success of the APC in the governorship poll, Oyebanji said the good work done in the council area since coming to office should galvanise the residents to cast their votes for the ruling party.

The Governor urged the people of the state to vote for the All Progressives Congress APC at the governorship election and presidential election because of positive impact in the lives of the citizens in terms of policies and projects executed so far.

All the spokespersons of the towns visited pledged massive delivery of votes in favour of the Governor and his party in appreciation of the benefits so far reaped from his administration.

The Governor during the tour paid courtesy visits to the palaces of the traditional rulers who all prayed for the realisation of his second term ambition. The monarchs all commended the Governor for living up to expectation since assumption of office in 2022.

The rallies were attended by House of Representatives member for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, Hon Adeniyi Ojuawo; House of Representatives member for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2, Hon Femi Bamisile; the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Bolaji Olagbaju; husband of the Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro and other top officials of the campaign council.