From the Palace of Truth, Ile-Ife.
The drum beat softly as the Ife Council of Elders spoke with one voice: _“If our votes would count, you are good to go.”.
That was the powerful verdict as the elders threw their weight behind the candidature of Hon. Rotimi Makinde, declaring him a son the land knows, trusts, and has tested.
“You have been very consistent and have passed through a lot in this party. You are the person we know,” the elders said.
_“We just pray our voices shall matter in this game of who represents us. We have always recommended some of you but up there, their stands we cannot override”_
The elders, led by His Excellency, Prince Adeleke Adewoyin, former Deputy Governor of Osun State under the regime of Chief Bisi Akande, did not speak in riddles. Their message was plain and very clear: Ile-Ife is tired of mediocre or strangers who arrive only when the ballot is near. National Assembly is a familiar route for you as a ranking personality.We are familiar with your records,it can only get better.
The tortoise does not forget the road it walked,you have paid your due. The elders remember. You are the one who knows us by our names and up to our children and our needs. We remember who stood with Ile Ife,it's environs and Apc as a party when the rain was heavy, who wiped the tears of the town when others turned their backs, built school and hospital and who walked the streets without police and sirens.Ordinarily, you are one of us in this council of elders but you can't be a judge in your own case.All of us well seated here have our positive testimonies about you.
In politics, many come with money. Few come with memories. Speaking one after the other. The Council of Elders said they are choosing memory. “We have seen men who disappear after elections and reappear when the ticket is on the table. But you Rotimi Makinde is not a visitor. You are a child of this soil, a product of this elder council, your sweat is in our land..This is progressive party. We have our culture. We are ready to do the needful and we hope it counts.
Prince Adewoyin, speaking for the council, noted that Ife federal constituency does not gamble with its future. _“The yam that will burn us, we do not put in the fire. The man who will sell us, we do not give the market. We know Rotimi. He has been tried. He has been tested. He has not broken.”.This "honourable" they are calling him today was my doing, Adewoyin said.
The elders’ prayer was simple but deep: _“If our votes would count, then let them count for the man we know.”_
Because the river that knows its source will never run dry. And people who choose their own will never be ruled by suspense.We know Makinde and can predict him..
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