” Consistency is what transform the average into Excelllence ”
Abiodun Ekolo may not appear flamboyant as most political leaders are ,in fact ,he is often furtive and conveys his intents in more actions than words. He speaks sparingly but his limpid style makes full meaning of little he utters.
Prior to the last Governorship election of March 18 , some politicians were making overtures and direct calls on Ekolo to use his political connections in Ibadan South East local government to their advantage. Mum was his response. When I called to ferret out the reason behind his action his response was short but stunning, he said;
“No matter what any politician does to win me ,they can only try in futility, because my support to Engineer Seyi Makinde is unnegotiable”.
And truly ,Abiodun Ekolo is as reliable as Northern Pole which gives directions to a Sailor. He is as consistent not as Northern star in William Shakespeare novel called Julius Caesar ,
Shakespeare’s ”Julius Caesar,” the title character declares, ”But I am constant as the Northern Star, of whose true fixed and resting quality there is no fellow in the firmament. ”
At the end its consistency was freaky. Ekolo’s consistency is rock solid .
Ekolo is absolutely loyal and has not been in dire Search of political leaders, once he is in a boat with you, you can be sure of sailing with a boon in your vessel . This was confirmed by a friend who describes his relationship with Ambassador Arapaja in three words as firm, fixed and focused ”
He his as loyal as a prairie scout. This was confirmed by the Federal Honourable representing ib North East and South East, his constituency, Honourable Abass Agboworin who has seen Ekolo as a dependable ally who is with you In all weather ”
His political records right from his days as a party chairman in Ib South East local government till date is without stain as Jackstaff in front of a ship.
Here are some of his former political office in brief:
Ward 10 Councilor Ibadan South East March 1997- 1998
Member of the Board of National Maritime Authority 12 December 2005- June 2006
Member National Assembly Screening Panel (Bauchi) 21 November 2006
Acting State Youth Leader PDP 2006
Chairman Ibadan South East Local Government Mapo 15 December 2007- 17 December 2010
Chairman Board of Directors, Ibadan Local Government Property Company Limited 2007- 201.
Member Ibadan Sustainable Management Company 2007-2010
Member Research and Planning Yar’ Adua/ Akala Campaign Committee February 2007.
Member State Implementation Committee Community Service/ Women & Youth Empowerment Oyo State (SURE- P) 23 October 2012- June 2015
Member State PDP Finance Committee 2014
Member National Convention Organizing Committee (PDP) 2021 Secretary State of Assembly Electoral Committee, (Cross River State) (PDP) 2022
Member State House of Assembly Electoral Committee (Lagos State) He is fortified by experience s and never binded by whart Forbes call ” passion and party ” But he rightfully uses his experiences as a lantern on the stern which shines only on the waves behind us.
When the Governorship elections results were declared, i hurriedly put a call to him last Sunday when I was leaving my hotel room in Ona Ara and he told me he had been in fasting and prayers for GSM since Thursday. He was happy he won with a wide margin .
When today I read his congratulatory message to GSM , the words “quiescent achiever” readily comes to mind. Here is a man who is loud in actions but quiet in words. He supports GSM both on the field and in faith .
How he won my heart for GSM will be a discussion for another day. Meanwhile, let me join him in saying Congratulations to GSM.
Isiaka-kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Ibadan.
