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By Samuel Adegoke
The senator representing Oyo South, Dr Kola Balogun, has revealed that defeating the late Oyo State Governor Sen. Abiola Ajimobi humbled him so much that he made a covenant to serve God, and by extension humanity, with his mandate.
Balogun defeated the then incumbent Governor Ajimobi in an election which attracted the attention of millions of Nigerians. Ajimobi was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate while Balogun was that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Balogun, who disclosed this while addressing members of South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), in Ibadan on Thursday, said because of this resolution, he was not bothered about the 2023 election but his 2019 mandate. He disclosed that the covenant was responsible for why he is taking extra steps to facilitate projects and other dividends of democracy to his constituents.
His words: “I made a covenant with my God because of the peculiar circumstance of my election, that I will use this position to serve God. Each time you serve God, you are serving humanity by extension. That’s why I am not bothered about 2023. Do we know who is going to live till 2023? I am worried about what to do with my 2019 mandate. If it pleases God to put me in the position again, so be it. And if He says: ‘Go home,’ at least I will have things to point to. I want to be remembered for landmark achievements.”
He disclosed that he has facilitated empowerment to over 500 constituents through personal touch he applies to Federal Government initiatives.
Balogun, who is a member of Senate Committee on Power, also disclosed that the committee did not approve tarrif increase. He said most committee members rejected the idea when it was raised at a meeting conveyed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) in Lagos.
According to him, most committee members insisted that the commission should first ensure improved service before contemplating tariff increase, adding that the timing was wrong.