Special Report: Hon Chris Ayebusiwa First 100 Days As Lawmaker

Since it was inaugurated on the 3rd of June, 2023, the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly has, in many ways, elevated itself as a team of stellar minds and a conglomerate to be taken seriously by the public. Its 26 members, drawn from the various constituencies in the state have also displayed unusual grit and glaring sense of purpose, which accounts largely for the respect the legislative arm garners from all and sundry.

Among the distinguished men and ladies who inhabit the hallowed chamber in this dispensation, the member who represents Okitipupa Constituency I and chairs the Standing Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Chris Ayebusiwa, has earned early applause from folks, having given himself and his constituency a special place in the eyes of the public.

Through his acts and strides, he has left none in doubt of the fact that he has the requisite preparations for the position which he presently occupies. Chris is not a green horn in the political affairs of Ondo State. He has been around for awhile as a staunch enthusiast of late Dr Olusegun Agagu, the former governor of Ondo State. He has grown through the rungs and learned the tact and techniques of the trade, far ahead of his journey to office as lawmaker.

He armed himself early enough with the mental, emotional and ideological wherewithal. Even while he repeatedly sought the mandate to serve the people and prove leadership mettle but seemed uphill, he remained focused and

unyielding until the tide favoured him.

When the time came eventually, Chris won the hearts of his people, got massive intra-party votes on the 15th March, 2023, to pick the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as he polled 10,084 to defeat his closet rival who scored 3,715 and lost the entire 7 political wards to him.

His dumbfounding intra-party win has been variously analysed by political actors and pundits because the figure of his winning was unprecedented in the annals of party politics in Okitipupa. His strength has been attributed to various factors, including his traits of altruism, compassion, street smartness and good public spirit. While the said factors are not incorrect, his long standing presence and responsive care for all classes of his constituents appear to be the real magic for him.

Ahead of political ambition and the politics of party nomination, there is virtually no sphere of the public that was not reached by the giving disposition of Honourable Chris Ayebusiwa at various times; from material provision for school children, to pecuniary support for religious organisations within his constituency and several interventions in favour of educational institutions.

Chris do not just care, he also listens to the yearnings of his people and process these interests in favour of the people. This has since made him an enduring subject of attraction to the different categories of persons within his constituency and even beyond. This is the foundation upon which he built his glowing and rising popularity as a legislator. His fame continues to soar as a sought after lawmaker who enjoys incredible goodwill among his people, associates and social circles.

Hardly had he been inaugurated that he swung into action. He announced 14 youthful aides who would serve with him both at the state and ward levels on the same day of his inauguration. The spread of his appointment across the seven constituent wards and the renumeration attached gave Ayebusiwa out as a man who understands his game and ways around the political lawns. The appointments attracted huge plaudits and laudations and set the tone for more attractive deliveries from him.

In July, barely a month after his inauguration, Hon Ayebusiwa announced a Constituency Quiz Competition for public secondary schools in Okitipupa Constituency I with cash prizes. The quiz competition, according to him, was to rejuvenate reading culture which appears to have taken a lull among contemporary youths. In effect, the first three winners in the quiz competition took home two hundred thousand (200,000), One hundred and fifty thousand naira (150,000) and One hundred thousand naira (100,000) respectively.

In the same July, he reached out to women leaders of the seven political wards with Okitipupa Constituency I with a message to join hands with him in strategically repositioning the constituency by mobilising the womenfolk for progressive partnership while arming them with the necessary material support. With the women leaders, Ayebusiwa plans to achieve gender balance and  effective women empowerment that he unwaveringly commits himself to.

August saw the lawmaker empowering students of the various higher institutions of learning in his constituency with three-day training in graphic design, a craft which the undergraduates themselves sought and the lawmaker pleasurably granted. The skill, among other advantages, is expected to enable beneficiaries to make reasonable income for personal upkeep. 

September came with a special plan from Hon Ayebusiwa for the pupils of the public primary schools in his constituency. He has announced plan to make available free reading and writing materials for pupils as they resumption for new academic session, knowing the much it costs parents and guardians to bear the cost of tuition and sundry learning materials; yet he feels obligated to give reliefs especially to the indigent ones.

Recall that Chris, at his inauguration, restated his commitment to the welfare of his people by assuring the people that he will always do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him. He promised to be accessible, responsible and accountable. He told all that he would be listening and welcoming to ideas that can help to improve the status of his constituency.

Given the foregoing, it is evident that Hon Ayebusiwa is acting his office. He has, from the get-go, described his position as a rare privilege that he would not take for granted. He realised so early that it is a testy and challenging time for him as representative of the people but that he is determined to make a visible difference. The much he has done in the last 100 days, and the much that he has in stock for his constituency are a sufficient assurance that the days ahead hold much prospects.