FOR THE RECORDS: DELE PHILIPS’ SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY
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It’s the story of a prominent son of Ekiti State who has passion for human and societal development.
Bamidele Phillips hails from Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West local government area of the fountain of knowledge in the land of Honour.
An enterprising man who has succeeded in achieving a great degree of his heart’s desires both in academics and businesses in Nigeria and overseas.
It’s on record that his involvement in real estate and hospitality industry has become a reference point with the various establishments that have provided jobs for over 300 people.
In line with his passion to lift up individuals and collective people around him, he put in place Dele Philips Foundation which facilitated numerous Interventionist programmes that have touched both the young and the old in his constituency as well as Ekiti State in general.
Through the Dele Philips Foundation, about 100 women from Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 comprising Ekiti West, Efon and Ijero local government areas benefitted from the empowerment programmes of the foundation.
Apart from numerous primary and secondary school pupils who are benefiting from scholarship schemes, infrastructural Intervention has also been recorded in communities which include Ido-Ile in Ekiti West local government area.
In terms of political involvement, contributions of Dele Phillips to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) both at local and state levels created a rallying point for members and leaders.
While vehicles were donated towards the governoship campaign of the candidate of the party, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, offices in his constituency at Efon Alaaye, Ijero and Aramoko-Ekiti were put in place and tastefully furnished.
Having realised his passion and commitment, the people came together and pleaded that his personality would be needed to impact more with political recognition, especially at the federal level.
This led to the project , Dele Philips for Reps with the target to represent Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 comprising Ekiti West, Efon Alaaye and Ijero local government areas.
His commitment to the project and level of support received from his people were a great encouragement for the movement that kept attracting more followers, even from other political parties.
There have been many occasions Dele Philips had displayed spirit of sportsmanship which is uncommon among Nigerian politicians.
How he scolded his supporters after a senatorial meeting in Aramoko-Ekiti attracted positive comments and responses from people who called on Nigerian politicians to emulate the international business mogul.
The Primary election was eventually fixed for Aramoko-Ekiti and all delegates from the three local government areas gathered for the much awaited exercise.
Major contenders were the incumbent representative, Wumi Ogunlola, Biodun omoleye and Dele Philips.
The primaries were going on smoothly and feelers had it that Dele Philips was already leading with a wide margin.
In the process, the agent of the former chief of staff, Biodun omoleye who was also a contestant allegedly disrupted the exercise as moderators were injured while the ballot boxes and papers had been destroyed to a level.
All these happened in the presence of security agents.
Dele Philips and other contestants as well as their supporters protested to the police headquarters and the party secretariat in Ado Ekiti to register their grievances and to ensure there was no break down of law and order.
There were reports that the primaries would be reconducted the following Monday but this was also described as an incorrect one.
Supporters of Dele Phillips presented many options before him and these included legal action against the alleged perpetrator(s) of the act as well as the party and working against the party and it’s candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in the approaching governorship election.
After various considerations of the options and the fact that he believes that governance or politics should not be a do-or-die affair, he decided to appeal to his supporters to avoid all acts that could affect the chances of Biodun Oyebanji in the June governoship election.
Then, having being pacified by leaders of the party, Dele Philips decided to call a peace meeting involving party faithful and leaders from the three local government areas, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti West and Ijero.
The venue of the meeting was filled to capacity by many people who had benefitted from his foundation and leaders , even from the state capital to appeal to them that though Dele Philips may not get the house of representatives ticket, there are plans by the party to honour his display of spirit of sportsmanship.
Various speakers at the event including Chief Remi Oguntuase and many others eulogised Dele Philips for his display of spirit of sportsmanship and love for the candidate of the party, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji at the approaching governorship election.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Dele Philips appealed to all his supporters to avoid any act that could affect the chances of the party in the Election.
“With what we are witnessing now, I beg you all to ensure that you forget the past and work together for the the victory of the party. In the reality, it is BAO that can do bigger things for most of us in this hall. I am going to visit all our wards before the election and we shall give you all necessary support”, Dele Philips said.
After the peace meeting, the party leaders and followers went home with a message that election of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji should be prioritized.
And this was displayed at the polls with the APC candidate leading with a wide margin.
With the leadership traits and unusual spirit of sportsmanship displayed by the Aramoko-Ekiti-born business mogul, many key players and stakeholders are optimistic that having more and more Dele Philips in the political terrain would not only add more value to our democratic experience but also our existence as a people.
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