The Member representing Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ganiyu Saka Cook Olododo has said all the 23 wards within his constituency have enjoyed good representation and responsive project facilitation in the last three years.
Hon Olododo disclosed this on Friday during Media Parley with some journalists in his Constituency Office, Ilorin.
According to him, “All the 23 wards in my constituency have benefited from dividends of democracy due to qualified representation. No ward is left out including those in the rural areas.
His words: “The last three years have been eventful and interesting. I have changed the narrative as a grassroots person and experienced politician. I am living with my people. I achieved everything from Ilorin. From being a local government Chairman to Chief of Staff to Governor and Secretary to the State Government. I understand the people because I am one of them.
“As a lawmaker, I have sponsored bills and motions. The Senate and House of Representatives just passed my bill on the establishment of the Federal Medical Center, Fufu in the Ilorin South local government area and awaiting Mr. President’s assent. During our campaign in 2019, we visited different communities and presented their requests. People’s requests differ from ward to ward. Some communities need water, electricity, road, schools and others. We are using the template to address challenges in different communities through project facilitation. I installed over 1000 street lights across Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency. A lot of communities are enjoying electricity with the transformers we distributed. We are also supporting farmers in rural areas. We are not leaving anybody behind. Last Saturday, we distributed various work tools to artisans, women and others during the 15th empowerment program. I have secured employment for many people in the last three years and even before my sojourn in the green chamber.”
“In terms of legislation, I have also changed the narratives as I do in every position I’ve been privileged to hold. The House of Representatives Committee on National Planning and Economic Development that I chair, for instance, has become more relevant than ever before under my watch. A committee that last had an annual report during the 7th Assembly now does regular oversight and we publish our reports annually.”
The Lawmaker who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said hundreds of youth also received laptops after intensive ICT training.
Giving reasons for dumping APC for SDP, Olododo said they sidelined him in the scheme of affairs because he advised against and refused to join the line drawn against those who worked for the emergence of the party in 2019.
“In 2018/2019 during the OTOGE revolution, we believe we are going to have inclusive governance. I believe in inclusiveness. We got the change through the ballot with the support of many people but Kwara State Governor has his own agenda, which we didn’t know ab initio. I advised Governor Abdulrazaq physically and on phone to avoid the crisis in the party but some people were fueling it for personal benefits.
“I left APC for SDP after a long wait for possible resolution of differences and due consultation with my constituents. I have experience in Kwara Politics and value people a lot. I listened to people’s yearning. SDP has a formidable structure to win the 2023 general elections in Kwara State.”
Olododo expressed optimism on his chance of winning the 2023 election, “My performance and antecedent will speak for me. Yinka Aluko is my junior brother and friend but the people would decide. I will win again on the platform of SDP Insha Allah.”
The Ilorin-born Politician said SDP Governorship Candidate, Hakeem Lawal has a better chance of winning the Kwara 2023 election as a young, talented and well-schooled man based on his father’s antecedent.
“HAKEEM LAWAL stands a better chance of winning the election than anyone in the opposition. He is intelligent and wise. He is a young man that has the native intelligence to develop the state. He will run an inclusive government and that is our approach in SDP. We have a formidable structure in the three Senatorial districts and will win. The power of incumbency wouldn’t be a factor in the 2023 general elections. Oyetola was defeated in Osun State. We defeated the incumbent government in 2019. Many people will abandon the Governor before the 2023 general elections,” he explained.
