By Oludamisi Ojo
The first Nigerian woman registered Engineer and candidate of the African Democratic Party(ADP) for the June 18 governorship poll in Ekiti State, Mrs. Kemi Elebute -Halle has said her gender can not be a barrier against her ability and capability to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state if elected governor.
She urged Ekiti voters to refrain from considering gender in voting.
According to her, the electorate should place a high premium on the candidates’ pedigrees, backgrounds, and academic attainments, which she said stands her in good stead to win the poll.
The ADP stalwart, spoke in Ikere Ekiti while paying a courtesy visit on the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, at his Palace, as part of her campaign strategy.
Elevate -Halle said the fact that she is the first woman Engineer in the country corroborated her competence for the coveted position and amplified the fact that the ability to be a good governor has nothing to do with gender.
She told the monarch that his utmost priority if the elected government would be empowering youths to be self-independent.
The female aspirant said Youth employment is very key to the survival of our nation going by a series of ICT fraud, illicit drug, and kidnap cases being recorded in the country.
Her words” We shall take development to the doorsteps of our citizens. The local governments, which are the closest to the people and the best tier to drive development and combat poverty will be allowed a high level of independence to cater to our people at the grassroots.
“Though the campaign has not started properly, I have decided to come to visit Ogoga because of the respect I have for our royal fathers and I am also born into a royal family”.
Elevate- Halle, who also met with the Bricklayers’ Association of Nigeria, Ekiti chapter, promised to place priority on the development of the private sector, where artisans and professionals operating in Ekiti would benefit tremendously.
The ADP candidate while speaking with the Bricklayers described herself as an advanced bricklayer and promised to help complete the group complete its building in the State if elected Governor.
She said “Let me say that I am one of you, I urge you to embrace my candidature, regardless of your political parties and belief. I can’t abandon you, besides engineering is my life, and engineers and Craftsmen, and artisans are like Siamese triplets, so let us work together to make this a reality”.
The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adu, commended the candidate for her bravery, saying he was particularly happy that a woman has decided to come out to contest for the Governorship seat of Ekiti State.
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The Ogoga told the people that it is time to reward the Governorship Candidate by ensuring they vote for her as the next Governor.
The State Chairman of the Bricklayers Association, Mr. Akinola Olasupo, said they decided to give her their full support because the candidate is a member of the association as an engineer.
Olasupo added that the group also held that unwavering belief that the ADP candidate has the ability and ingenuity to turn things around by bringing her professional expertise and experience to hear in leading the state.
