First Year Anniversary: Applauding Chris Ayebusiwa as True People’s Rep
By: Dele Giwa
Reflecting on the performance of the member representing Okitipupa Constituency I at the Ondo State House of Assembly in the last one year, one could safely say this is the first time the people will truly feel the presence and concrete performance of their representative. This regime has been the case of a turnaround and concrete representation.
It was public knowledge that I was in opposition to the candidacy of Hon Ayebusiwa during electioneering, particularly in terms of media activities. This is due to my allegiance to my preferred aspirant at the time, which I held on to until the last moment.
It is not my fault. That is the way I am wired. It is not in my blood to betray any course that I believe in and committed to. Apart from my commitment to another person at the time, I had also doubted that anyone could really make a difference in representation, particularly at the level of the state assembly.
In Hon Chris Ayebusiwa’s case, he had demonstrated capacity even before election though, and he did promise that as an MHA, he would represent not only the interest of APC members but all, irrespective of political alliance. We knew he has good nature, yet it was difficult for one to take his words hook, line and sinker because of the usually fraudulent nature of Nigeria’s politics but looking back, he has proven me wrong.
As of today, Hon Chris Ayebusiwa has become the People’s MHA. He has significantly brought the dividends of democracy to the grass roots and restore confidence in the people that things can always get better when we entrust someone with empathy with power, most importantly someone who has a remarkable record of selflessness.
Before he became MHA, Hon Chris Ayebusiwa’s kind gesture is not unknown among the people of his constituency. This explains why they believed in him and supported him wholeheartedly. As a true son of the soil and honest leader of his people, he is reciprocating the confidence reposed in him with good performance.
In his one year at the hallowed chamber, the experience has been that of quality representation. He has touched virtually every sector and still with doing more. Apart from representing the people well in terms of community service, he has also been using his office as Chiarman of the house committee on tertiary institutions to bring development to his people.
Chris typically uses any opportunity he has to give back to his people. His style reassures members of his constituency that they didn’t make mistake by choosing him. It doesn’t matter what political party you belong, Hon Ayebusiwa believes that every member of his constituency deserves fair treatment, and he does not shy away from this principle.
Because of where I stood before his election, one would rightly expect him to ignore me. But his actions show that he is a different person. Despite the fact that I do not belong in the rank of the top 50 youths in the constituency, he has constantly kept in touch with me since his assumption of office.
Meanwhile , his relationship with me has not been without moral and financial support, and I believe he does so to me as he does to hundreds of other constituents, which truly validates my theory about him as the People’s MHA.
Without necessarily comparing Hon Ayebusiwa with the rest of his colleagues, because I believe that other MHAs in ondo State are doing well in their own rights, but I can boldly say that Hon Chris Ayebusiwa has surpassed the regular performance of MHAs.
I do not need to be persuaded otherwise. I saw, recently, a member of the same state assembly, a very senior principal officer at the chamber at that, dodging his constituents when they visited him because he didn’t want to make commitments, but Hon Chris Ayebusiwa would rather invite his own constituents and support them where necessary. I’m not saying he is the best but he is definitely far ahead of others.
A popular adage says “when a child dance wells, he should be applauded so that he could dance better next time”. In the last one year, Hon Chris Ayebusiwa has represented his people fairly, and with the fear of God. He has demonstrated that he is truly a man of the people- the People’s MHA, through his actions and inactions.
My earnest prayers is for God to be with him, continues to uphold him, prepare a place for him on higher rungs and protect him in all ramifications. Chris , to all intents and purposes, deserves a loud applause for giving us brilliant representation. Cheer to better years of quality representation.
