PMParrot/Parrot Xtra’s correspondent, EMMANUEL ADENIRAN recently had an encounter with the gubernatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Ekiti State, Mrs. Kemi Elebute Halle, she revealed why she wants to govern the state… Excerpts
Can our readers meet you?
My name is Engineer (Mrs) Kemi Elebute Halle. I was born into the family of High Chief Adeniran Elebute, the Apelua of Irutu Oke Ayedun Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on June 11, 1982.
I started my elementary education at St. Anthony Primary School, Ilasha Ekiti from 1983 to 1989 and Comprehensive High School, Ijesa Isu Ekiti.
I obtained my Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and my Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.
I observed my mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Adamawa State where I won the State’s best Youth Corp Member for the year 2009. With the assistance of the Adamawa State Government, several opportunities opened up for me during that period that enabled me to build up my capacities as an intern up to the managerial positions at various Engineering firms in the country such as Julius Berger Nigeria Limited Plc, Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria limited.
I also served as a pupil Engineer with RCC Construction Company, Nassarawa State under the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
With your level of experience in politics, how prepared are you for the task ahead as in contesting to govern Ekiti State?
I participated in the primary election of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and I won which earned me my candidacy. In the history of the State, I am the first female candidate contesting for the gubernatorial seat and through that, I have made my mark and nobody can change it.
Speaking of my experience, I can tell you categorically that I am from a political background. I was brought up in a political family and once you are even born into a Royal family, you are automatically a politician.
My grandfather was the oldest King in Ekiti State and I have had cause to interact with many politicians through whom I have learnt the art of politicking. In addition, I have been opportune to hold several leadership positions in the society
What informed your decision to want to contest for the Ekiti gubernatorial seat?
One of the things that prompted me to make a swift decision is my passion to serve and for equity’s sake.
Most importantly, when I saw what went wrong with our big and giant political parties- especially how they conducted their primaries was so disgusting.
When I saw what transpired among those parties and how people were forced against their own wishes coupled with the failure to follow due democratic processes of politics ignited my decision to contest.
In addition, the clamoring of the residents of the state for a better system of governance further made me to join the governorship race.
As an Engineer, what significant quality stands you out in the profession?
As Engineers, we are builders. Do I need to build bridges before I can make impact as an Engineer? Building human beings is also engineering itself. In life, I have been able to mold the lives of human beings positively and I have not relented.
The word engineering, civil engineering is meant to build the world and it does not have to be physical; you can build people up emotionally and financially.
I have employed people in both the private and public sector. If a person builds hundreds of estates on the earth today and does not build human resources, such an individual has failed.
How do intend to actualize you ambition in ADP since it is a relatively new party in the State?
All the well-known parties were built over time. I stand to be corrected if I am wrong, APC metamorphosed from the former ACN and among many other examples.
Every business and every aspect of life has its own stages and that is how God made the process of life. However, if someone does not take up that challenge to build, there will be no development.
Within few weeks, I have been able to tour all local governments areas in Ekiti State and you will be surprised that they have already known us in those local government areas.
We have the structure and I have a brand on my own named Dominion Group. People do not really know me but we have been able to influence lives positively. I am a household name and I am sure it will be easy for ADP to win the gubernatorial election.
Ekiti election is not a primary election where some few people will determine what happens to others. I am optimistic that ADP will do well at the election.
What are your plans to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of Ekiti State?
If I am elected as the Governor, there will be equal rights for everybody in the State and we will ensure we follow due process in getting things done. I will also ensure there is inclusion for our women, youths and pensioners to live a better life.
In addition, we are going to ensure that Ekiti State moves forward agriculturally and educationally.
What is your plan on how to tackle the rising cases of unemployment and insecurity in the State?
We are going to embark on long, immediate and medium measures to tackle these two important areas if elected.
We will provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and provide employment opportunities for our youths to be gainfully employed.
Furthermore, we will ensure we tackle the issue of insecurity and nip it in the bud. It is because people are unemployed that is why they take to crime. Ask those people who are involved in kidnapping business, what was their return in their last operation? They will reply that they got ridiculous amount of money like N5000. If such individuals are gainfully employed, they will weigh the better option and within a matter of time, insecurity and insurgency will be minimized.
What advice do you have for the electorates in Ekiti State?
I will urge the Ekiti people to vote for the Action Democratic Party (ADP) because it is a credible alternative for Nigerians.
I want to appeal to the residents of the state to support my aspiration because since the creation of the State in 1996, men have been ruling us and they have done their best. This is the first time a woman is coming out to contesting as a gubernatorial candidate.
Women should equally be given space to become the Governor of Ekiti State. If God knows that a man will be capable enough to make the whole world a perfect place, He would not have created a woman. Therefore, without the women, the world cannot be a perfect place.
Furthermore, women are gifted with the ability to multi task and they are the only human beings under the sun that God gave the strength to reproduce.
I will further suggest that there should be more inclusion of women in politics as well as decision making and it should begin from Ekiti State.
