…Stakeholders Appeal To Party Leaders
Okunade Adekunle
Stakeholders in Epe Constituency 2 Area of Lagos State have cried out that it is their turn to produce the next member of the Federal House of Representatives from Epe Federal Constituency.
The stakeholders took turns to speak at the 4th edition of the annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which held simultaneously in the 40 constituencies that make up the assembly on Thursday 9th August.
The residents stated that the lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 2 in the Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade should be allowed to represent Epe in the Federal House of Representatives from 2019.
According to them, the lawmaker has paid his dues in his two terms sojourn in the Assembly, adding that he has all it takes to take Epe to the next level as a federal lawmaker.
Chairman of Eredo Local Government council area, whose secretariat hosted the meeting, Hon. Adeniyi Saliu said that the essence of the stakeholders meeting was to provide an avenue for the representatives of the people to give feedback to the people they are representing.
Saliu stressed that having represented the people of the area in the house of assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade is more qualified to step up his game to the House of Representatives, wondering why some people were against his candidature.
According to him, zoning is a mandate that must be upheld in Epe constituency, and that this is the mandate of APC as a party.
This position was supported by the residents that were present at the event including the widow of a former governor of Lagos State, Sir. Michael Otedola, Lady Adedoja Otedola, who described Olulade as a worthy ambassador of Epe, who has done well for the people.
The residents also appealed to the state government to provide them more infrastructure, schools, healthcare centre, recreation centre, potable water, electricity amongst others.
In his keynote address, Hon. Olusegun Olulade said that the 4th edition of the stakeholders meeting, which is the last before the next election, was a positive narrative of change.
“What we are doing today is to speak about peaceful election in the next election. It is our right to get our PVC and also have equal access to the government, and to ensure that the government of the state to bring back dividend of democracy.
“It is an avenue to present to the constituents what the government has been doing as that will bring development and growth in the communities and the state in general.
“Everyone has the right to take part in the enthronement of the government of the state both the executive and legislature.
“Also, every citizen of the state has equal access to public service in his or her constituency, local government council and wards.
“We have continued to improve on our lawmaking drive and process by reviewing and amending the old legislations and initiating new ones where necessary, to meet current needs.
“To date, we have considered forty one (41) bills and passed 30 into laws, which are effectively addressing various challenges and development activities in the state,” Olulade said.
He added that the assembly has been able to demonstrate its commitment to the improvement of lives of the people and protection of properties in the state.
“The evident impacts of these are the construction, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads and other infrastructure across the state namely; the Ikeja and TBS BRT Bus Terminals, and pedestrian bridges.
“Others are disbursement of reasonable funds for youth empowerment by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, equipping of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps with operational vehicles, completion of Ayinke House at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and other on-going projects across the state.
“The message of violence-free elections should be carried to places worship, schools, homes, and parks.
“Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and traditional institutions should also be involved in this campaign and assist in identifying flash points in their communities,” he stated.
Olulade further urged his constituents to give room for peaceful election and allow the zoning system to work in Epe.
According him, “It is the turn of Ikosi/Ejirin to produce the House of Representatives member from Epe and I should be given the chance to represent the constituency in the Federal House of Representatives.
“My mandate should be given to me to proceed to the House of Representatives. I promise not to disappoint the people as I would do my best to make things work better for our people.”
