By Odole Tope Abiola
One of the longest-serving national legislators since the return of democracy in 1999 is the Esa-Oke born House of Representatives member,
representing Ijesa-North Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, Honourable Busayo Oluwole Oluwole Oke.
It has been said in many fora that Oke ought to be something of value in Osun politics to have remained relevant in the National Assembly since 1999 and still counting. A public affairs analyst recently put
this argument succinctly by writing that “Osun has come under governance of different political parties – the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – at different times. Yet, he continues to get elected on the ticket of the PDP by the people of the constituency, irrespective of the party ruling in the state at that particular time. There must be something significant in that.”
In the ongoing build-up to Saturday’s general elections, the gale of endorsements has begun for Honourable Oke again. Recently, he has got endorsement of traditional rulers, chiefs, retirees, artisans, youths
and women from all the 22 wards in Ijesa-North Federal Constituency, consisting of Obokun and Oriade Local Government Areas of the state.
The question is: What is Oke doing differently that makes him the toast of the electorate?
At the event, the Ijebu-Ijesa Town Hall recently was full to capacity, chiefs across Obokun and Oriade took turns to pray for the electoral
victory of Honourable Oke and passed a vote of confidence on him to
continue representing the people of Ijesa North at the House of Representatives beyond 2023.
Indeed, a particular community leader commented that there was hardly a household in Oriade and Obokun local governments which had not
benefitted one thing or the other from Honourable Oke’s
representation.
The people eulogised what they called “the brilliant performance of Oke in the House.
Some described the lawmaker as “a humble servant who is committed to
going extra miles for the welfare of his constituents.”
The constituents at different fora recently vowed to return him to continue his good deeds for the people.
In his address in Ipetu-Ijesa on Monday and Ijebu-Jesa on Tuesday, Honourable Oke expressed appreciation for the support of the traditional rulers, market women, youths, artisans, farmers students and people from all walks of life since his inception in politics of Ijesa-North and promised to keep putting smiles on their faces with
more dividends of democracy.
He also promised to keep facilitating jobs for constituents and reiterated his accessibility to the people, adding that there would be frequent meetings and feedbacks.
Oke has facilitated employments for over 2,000 people from all the wards in federal parastatas, ministries and agencies.
He vowed to collaborate with the state governor in providing free medical services to the people of the constituency.
Besides that, he has given scholarship to over 500 youths in Government Technical College, Ijebu-Ijesa with free meals and transportation for any child who showed willingness to enroll in the college.
He has also supported artisans with cash grants to expand their various businesses,
skills and trades.
He, again, promised to continue giving scholarships, free meal and
free transportation means to any constituent who showed readiness to enroll in Government Technical College, Ijebu-Ijesa, admonishing the
constituents to embrace technical education “as it is a pathway for vocational developments and discovery of talents.”
In his campaigns during the week, Honourable Oke disabused the minds of the people about “the erroneous notion” that he was committed to facilitating job only for the educated constituents and, thereby, neglecting artisans. He educated the congregation that for the economic advancement of the federal constituency, securing job for the educated constituents would be for the betterment of all and sundry and bringing economic growth
to all.
A trained economist and chattered accountant and Lawyer, he is the one competent to represent the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the Saturday election. He should be given the mandate again to continue giving succour to lives of the people.
ABIOLA IS AN OSUN BASED MEDIA PRACTITIONER AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYST
