By Dapo Ipoola 

In “Second Chance,” the proverb “one good turn deserves another” applies when the protagonist, after receiving a second chance from someone who believed in them despite their past mistakes, decides to turn their life around and repay that kindness by making positive choices and helping others in need, essentially. In politics, it’s always said that “one good term deserves another” – a proverb that means that a sound performance should be rewarded or reciprocated with another term, emphasizing gratitude and reciprocity. It suggests that if someone had done us some acts of kindness, we should return the favor, gestures, essentially stating that goodness should be returned in kind. It’s a call for mutual support for a demonstrated good deeds. 

The Nigerian Senate is the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly of Nigeria. It’s consists of 109 Senators across the 36 states, including one from the FCT, with each state having three senatorial districts. The business of law making or legislation can aptly be described as a formal process of making laws by a legislative body, or the enacted laws themselves (statutes, acts, or ordinances) created by governing authorities. It acts as a primary source of law, bridging legislative, executive, and procedural steps to establish legally binding rules. 

Therefore, the Nigerian Senate is a respectable law making chamber for the country where eggheads meet to represent and defend the interest of their constituents. The red chamber given its legislative sophistry is not for the lily-livered and neither is it for a political neophyte whose panoramic understanding of legislation is appalling and not too appealing to attract development to his/her senatorial district, just as the insight of benefits to be attracted to one’s senatorial district is a function of experience and legislative perspicacity. In the Senate, many indices hold for consideration in committee allocation and other sundry legislative responsibility. Avuncularity, experience, exposure, academic background and the term served- determines ranking, visibility, presence and leadership in the Senate.

In Ekiti North, a stentorious voice is needed again to accentuate the yearnings and agitation of the constituents for federal presence- citation of projects, employment opportunities, empowerment and other social amenities that could be facilitated. Without sounding immodest, Ekiti North senatorial district has always set the pace in terms of federal presence given the palpable representation demonstrated while Senator Ayo Arise represented the district. His representation was greeted with life changing opportunities- ranging from meaningful job employment, youth empowerment, strong social advocacy, and the location of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

Whosoever that was in the know would attest to the formidable influence of Senator Ayo Arise at ensuring that the university was sited in Oye-Ekiti. The then Minister of Police Affairs, late Captain Caleb Olubolade, almost got the university located in his community, Ipoti-Ekiti, but the sturdy influence and relationship wielded by Senator Ayo Arise toppled the theatrics of the late Minister. As a lover of his people and community, he sacrificed personal gains for the sake of his people and community. Today, Oye-Ekiti is the second fastest growing town in Ekiti- courtesy of Senator Ayo Arise’s foresight. The ripple effect of FUOYE is today being felt in all the local governments in Ekiti North, with Faculty of Agriculture in Ikole-Ekiti, remedial centre in Itapa-Ekiti, and other affiliate centres in Ido-Osi, Ayegbaju, and Otun-Ekiti. 

Within his stint in the Senate, Senator Ayo Arise defended and served the interest of his people. Till today, the impacts made by his representation remains indestructible, with lasting and meaningful achievements to mention. In all, this has transmogrified the living condition of the people of Ekiti North with new businesses- hotels, filling stations, hostels, small and large scale businesses sprawling at every nook and cranny of the senatorial district. Aged ones in Ekiti North are no longer depending on their children for survival as a result of the rent they get from students and other petty businesses that keep them busy. 

The youths in Ekiti North are dutifully engaged when compared to other districts. Oye-Ekiti, the host community of the university is moreorless a construction site, with new buildings, hostels and other social centres coming to stay. This life-changing impacts are the reasons for Senator Ayo Arise’s political relevance in the district. He is well loved and lionized by his people. As a lover of his people, he has not only affected their lives positively but invested heavily with a multi billionaire hotel near completion in Oye town. If there is any representative that has ever prioritized the interest of his people, it’s is Senator Ayo Arise. Years after he left the Senate, his records of matchless achievements remain unmatchable. With Senator Ayo Arise’s cognate experience, it’ll be another galore of robust and diligent representation.

While he was in the Senate, he was the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatization and member of other committees including Local and Foreign Debts, Water, Banking, Insurance & other Financial Institutions. In all of his dealings- both political and business, he has always brought his cosmopolitan exposure to bear. Little wonder his midas touch in whatever he sets out to do. As a loyal party member, he has made about seven media appearances, defending the party, the President and his policies- Tax reform, subsidy removal, and inflation.

Returning him to the Senate will further add to the popularity of the party in the State. His eclectic acceptability will be a plus to the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Ekiti North has got an alternative representative in Senator Ayo Arise, so as to arrest the present legislative haemorrhage that the district is needlessly going through. With his personal resources, he mobilizes for the party without bowl in hands for contract or pecuniary gains. And if any of the aspirant including the incumbent chooses to go to the field with him, that’ll be tantamount to sheer political suicide mission.

Recently, one should pause and commend the wisdom and discretion of the party’s leaders- former Governors Fayemi, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the incumbent Governor, Oyebanji, for their apt display of statesmanship at ensuring that a man with applaudable cognate experience- in person of Senator Ayo Arise, represents the district. Going by his array of landmark achievements, his representation is still the best thing that will ever happen in the history of that senatorial district. If returned to the Senate, it’ll be a restoration of sound and vibrant representation in Ekiti Oke. 

Ipoola, a media consultant, lives in Abuja.