By Dare Abejide
In every democracy, criticism is welcome. But when criticism drifts into distortion, it becomes necessary to correct the record.
Recent commentaries portraying the representation of Ekiti North Federal Constituency II as “dormant” and “docile” are not only misleading; they are fundamentally disconnected from verifiable facts on the ground.
Representation is not a talent show measured by volume or theatrics. It is a responsibility assessed by legislative output, constituency impact, and accountable use of public mandate. On these metrics, the record of Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole stands firm.
Contrary to claims of legislative silence, Hon. Kolawole has actively engaged the National Assembly in ways that directly benefit Ekiti North II. He has sponsored bills for the establishment of a School of Nursing in Ikosu Ekiti and a School of Agriculture in Otun Ekiti, institutions designed to expand access to education, strengthen human capital, and stimulate local economies.
He has also moved motions addressing citizen protection, accountability in governance, and economic justice, including interventions on funding for the Public Complaints Commission and the abuse of redesigned naira notes. Beyond debates, his advocacy has translated into federal employment opportunities for constituents.
The assertion that projects are “invisible” collapses under the weight of evidence. An independent assessment conducted by The Mandate & Accountability Project (MAP) a civil society organization dedicated to transparency verified multiple completed and ongoing projects across Ido/Osi, Moba, and Ilejemeje.
These include solar-powered boreholes in Iye Ekiti and Osi Ekiti, streetlights in Ire-Akari, Iye Ekiti, and Eda-Oniyo, and solar lighting for the Oba’s Palace and market in Ido Ekiti, all improving safety, water access, and economic activity.
Healthcare delivery has been strengthened through upgrades at Otun General Hospital, including modern equipment and walkways, while road grading, drainage systems, and asphalt works on the Otun–Osan and Osan Township roads have improved mobility, trade, and flood control. These are standing projects, inspected and confirmed not campaign slogans.
Youth engagement, often cited as “weak,” tells a different story when facts are consulted. Over 260 youths have received digital skills training in Artificial Intelligence and software development through partnerships with tertiary institutions. ICT centres in Ilogbo, Iye, and Otun Ekiti now provide access to modern tools, while over 1,000 JAMB forms, NECO fee payments, N25,000 bursaries to 750 undergraduates, and N75,000 scholarships to high-performing students have expanded educational access across the constituency.
Social welfare interventions have reached the most vulnerable: 320 widows received N50,000 each, 320 elderly men received N25,000 each, and 500 bundles of roofing sheets were distributed to families affected by rainstorms. Women and small business owners have been empowered through the distribution of sewing machines, grinding machines, generators, and business tools, while over 100 youths were engaged as paid assistants, gaining income and work experience.
Agriculture and rural livelihoods have not been neglected. Farmers’ cooperatives received fertilizers and sprayers, while motorcycles were provided to rural transport operators, improving productivity and market access.
The claim of a “distant” representative also fails scrutiny. Fully operational constituency offices in Otun Ekiti, Ido Ekiti, and Eda-Oniyo ensure regular engagement with traditional rulers, security agencies, traders, youths, and community leaders. Traditional institutions have been supported, reflecting inclusive governance rather than elitist politics.
The loudest irony in calls to “reject continuity” is that many of the gains recorded in Ekiti North II are multi-year interventions that require stability to mature. Abrupt disruption risks abandoning projects midstream, weakening advocacy channels, and resetting progress for the sake of political experimentation.
This is not a defence of complacency; it is a defence of truth. Independent verification, documented projects, and community feedback all point to a representative who understands that leadership is about delivery, not drama.
Ekiti North II does not need rhetorical anger or selective amnesia. It needs measured leadership, proven performance, and continuity that consolidates gains rather than discards them.
The choice before the constituency is not between silence and noise, but between facts and fiction.
SAY YES TO VERIFIED PERFORMANCE.
SAY YES TO RESPONSIBLE CONTINUITY.
EKITI NORTH II DESERVES LEADERSHIP THAT DELIVERS.
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