Kogi Speaker to Constituents: If I fail, you have failed
From Bayo Oyewale, Lokoja
The new Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Mathew Kolawole has solicited the support of people of his constituency, saying if he fails in his new assignments, they have failed.
He also called for total support of the present administration for radical development of Kabba/Bunu constituency.
Kolawole made the call at the weekend while speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Okun Traditional Council and the Obadofin of Oweland, Oba Micheal Yusuf to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for the tasks ahead, at Kabba, the headquarters of Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi State.
The Speaker explained that he was at home where it all began, particularly the palace where he got the blessings when he started his journey to the State House of Assembly.
“In the past eight years I have been struggling to contest for the House of Assembly seat, but I was advised to step down and be patient, which I did.
“Three years ago I came up to inform people of Kabba/Bunu that I want to contest for the House of Assembly seat and the entire people rallied round me and voted massively for me. The late Obaro of Kabba, Oba Micheal Olabayo gave a royal blessing for my aspirations, used my matter to unite the people of Kabba. There was massive support for me”, he stated.
Kolawole who went down memory lane, stated that he was elected into the state House on the Platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through which he became the majority leader and after a protracted crisis, he retained his position.
The new Speaker told the gathering that this position is for them, stressing that if he fails, the people have failed, therefore, they should bury the hatchets and allow peace to reign.
He also solicited for more support for Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration, stressing that there is no good road network in his constituency and it is by supporting the government that the area will be developed.
In his response, Oba Yusuf congratulated Kolawole and pledged the support of the entire people of Kabba/Bunu constituency.
Yusuf noted that the people of Kabba/Bunu have never had it so good like this, being the speaker, the number three position in the state.
Until last Thursday, Honourable Kolawole was the Majority Leader of Kogi State House of Assembly, the position he retained even after defection from PDP to APC few months ago.