METHUSELAH BOO OR MESSIAH ITURA: WHO SHOULD OBOKUN/ORIADE CHOOSE?
METHUSELAH BOO OR MESSIAH ITURA: WHO SHOULD OBOKUN/ORIADE CHOOSE?
Hon. Oluwole Oke & Barr. Pelumi Olajengbesi
By: FAKINLEDE TOPE JOHN
The political atmosphere in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency is becoming increasingly intense as two prominent figures prepare to battle for the House of Representatives seat: 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐤𝐞 (𝐁𝐎𝐎) 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐀𝐏𝐂) and 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫. 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛 𝐎𝐥𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢 (𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀) 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲.
The debate has already produced two contrasting descriptions. To some youths, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐡” 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, having spent several years in the National Assembly. To others, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫. 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛 𝐎𝐥𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐡”, a fresh voice who they believe represents a new generation of leadership.
But beyond the names, slogans, emotions and political campaigns lies a more important question:
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐧/𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞?
That is the conversation that should matter.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 “𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐇” 𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
Those calling Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke “Methuselah” are mainly youths who believe that he has spent enough time in public office and that the constituency needs a new voice.
Some of these youths have adopted the slogan “𝐎𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞”—𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, arguing that after five terms of four years each, the time has come for a generational change.
Their argument is that political experience should not become an excuse for indefinite representation. They want a younger representative with fresh ideas, broader exposure and a stronger connection with the aspirations of today’s youths.
For them, Barr. Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi represents that alternative.
They point to ITURA’s activities in youth development, advocacy and human-rights-related engagements, arguing that he has been active in supporting and empowering youths even without occupying an elected political office.
They therefore believe that the constituency should give a new generation the opportunity to lead.
𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐁𝐎𝐎’𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐀 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘
Supporters of Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke strongly disagree with the argument that his years in office amount to wasted representation.
According to them, his long experience in the National Assembly is an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
They argue that BOO has helped numerous youths and constituents access opportunities within government ministries, departments and agencies.
They also point to hundreds of beneficiaries who, according to them, have secured government employment and opportunities in the military and paramilitary services.
Their argument is simple:
𝐈𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
BOO’s supporters further argue that some of the youths now campaigning against him are not strangers to his political structure.
They claim that some of those criticising his continued representation previously benefited from his political assistance, campaigned for him and worked within his political structure, but have now changed position because they believe his achievements were insufficient or because of his movement from the
𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 (𝐏𝐃𝐏) 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐀𝐏𝐂).
Whether these claims are accepted or rejected, they have become part of the political debate in the constituency.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒
One of the strongest arguments coming from ITURA supporters concerns legislative performance.
They challenge BOO’s supporters to point to the impact of his 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, arguing that after several years in the National Assembly, the people should be able to see clear and measurable results.
BOO’s supporters, however, strongly reject this criticism.
They insist that Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke has sponsored several bills and attracted constituency interventions, while also serving as Chairman on important committees in the House of Representatives; House Committee on Defence, House Committee on Public Procurement, House Committee on Pubic Accounts and House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
They argue that the details of these legislative activities and projects will be made public during the campaign, and that his committee responsibilities have given him access to important areas of federal decision-making.
This brings us to an important point:
𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬.
If one side says there are projects, let the projects be identified.
If another side says there are no meaningful projects, let that claim also be tested against the records.
The people deserve evidence.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 “𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀” 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Another interesting aspect of this political contest is the renewed emphasis on the 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚.
Some youths are asking a simple question:
𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
They point to 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫. 𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐧 𝐎𝐝𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐧, whom they describe as a son of Oriade Local Government from Ijebu-Jesa/Odogo-Ijesa, and ask why those now championing the Oriade agenda did not mobilise with the same intensity at that time.
Some also argue that, during that time, Barr. Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi was associated with Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke’s political structure.
According to this argument, ITURA once supported, celebrated and campaigned for BOO and even had a political structure known as 𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀-𝐁𝐎𝐎.
Those making this argument therefore believe that the present campaign of ITURA for political liberation raises questions about consistency.
On the other hand, supporters of ITURA can reasonably argue that political relationships evolve and that supporting someone in one election does not permanently prevent a person from contesting against that individual in a later election, just as BOO has the constitutional right to contest again.
That is also part of democracy.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐊𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐎𝐎’𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐏𝐂
Another major issue surrounding Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke is his movement from the PDP to the APC.
BOO has reportedly explained that the political development was influenced by his relationship with 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐞 and the political circumstances surrounding his defection.
However, another version of the political narrative alleges that despite BOO winning all the wards in the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, he was perceived as not sufficiently supporting Governor Adeleke’s electoral interest at the time.
Supporters of this narrative claim that this contributed to a deterioration in the relationship between the governor and BOO and eventually resulted in BOO being sidelined by Mr Governor.
These remain political claims and counterclaims, but they are important because they explain why BOO’s political movement continues to generate discussion.
𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀
There is also another side to the story.
Some political observers argue that Barr. Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi previously used the 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 as part of his political engagement and eventually worked with BOO at a particular stage of his political journey.
Some elite therefore believe that if ITURA is now presenting himself as the alternative to BOO, he should also explain the political journey that brought him from supporting BOO to challenging him.
They have consequently called for clarification and, according to some voices, an apology over what they describe as an earlier contradiction in his political position, should be made.
ITURA’s supporters, however, maintain that political growth involves learning, changing positions and responding to new realities.
𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐔𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐘
This election has therefore created a classic political debate:
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐧/𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞?
Those supporting BOO say experience matters.
They believe that years in the National Assembly have given him knowledge of federal institutions, ministries, agencies, committees and the political process.
They argue that an experienced lawmaker may be better positioned to lobby for federal appointments, projects, employment opportunities and infrastructure.
ITURA’s supporters counter that experience without sufficient visible impact should not be enough.
They want fresh ideas, stronger youth representation, greater advocacy and a representative who, in their view, can connect more effectively with the changing aspirations of the constituency.
Both arguments deserve to be heard.
𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑?
This may ultimately become one of the biggest questions in the election.
Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke has received the 𝐀𝐏𝐂 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭, putting him in the same political party as 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮.
Barr. Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi is contesting under the 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲.
Some youths believe this makes BOO strategically positioned to lobby the Federal Government for development because he belongs to the governing party.
They argue that political alignment can provide additional access to federal decision-makers, ministries, agencies, party leaders and other influential stakeholders.
Others disagree.
They argue that a good representative does not necessarily need to belong to the President’s political party to represent the people effectively.
They further point to the relationship between 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐞 and the Federal Government and argue that if ITURA wins, the governor could potentially help bridge whatever political gap exists between his constituency and Federal Government.
This is therefore not simply a contest between APC and Accord.
It is also a debate about 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒
Another interesting argument has emerged from the just concluded gubernatorial election.
Some political observers are attempting to use the voting pattern from that election to predict what could happen in the coming House of Representatives election.
They argue that if ITURA was able to wins, with the margin of 𝟔,𝟒𝟖𝟎 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 in favour of Governor Ademola Adeleke in his local government, Oriade, while BOO wins with margin of 𝟒,𝟎𝟗𝟕 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬, for Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, such figures could indicate the strength of their respective political structures.
From that perspective, some believe ITURA could translate his electoral performance into victory.
But BOO’s supporters reject that calculation.
They argue that governorship and House of Representatives elections are different contests with different dynamics.
They also maintain that BOO has built relationships across political parties and among stakeholders throughout the federal constituency, making it dangerous to assume that last governorship election voting figures automatically determine future results.
That argument is also worthy of consideration.
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰’𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐭.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑
There is another political calculation that may influence the contest.
Some believe that President 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮’𝐬 presence on the ballot and his political relationship with both main political parties in Osun state and different stakeholders could strengthen the APC structure.
They also point to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu “𝐎𝐦𝐨 𝐰𝐚 𝐧𝐢” for President sentiment could influence voting behaviour, most especially for the aged group.
But again, the people of Obokun/Oriade will ultimately decide whether presidential, and legislative voting patterns should move together or whether voters will make independent choices.
𝐒𝐎, 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐀𝐇?
This is where the political debate becomes most interesting.
If ITURA is called the “𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐡,” the people should ask:
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭?
What are his plans for youth employment?
What federal projects will he pursue?
How will he attract investment?
What legislative agenda will he introduce?
How will he strengthen education, healthcare and infrastructure?
How will he represent the different communities within Obokun/Oriade?
And most importantly:
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬?
The title “Messiah” should not merely be a campaign slogan. It should come with clear expectations.
𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐁𝐎𝐎 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 “𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐇”?
If Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke is described as “Methuselah” because of his years in office, then his supporters must also accept that longevity comes with greater responsibility.
The longer a representative stays in office, the higher the expectations should become.
His supporters should be prepared to demonstrate what his experience has delivered.
They should show the bills, projects, employment opportunities, federal interventions, committee contributions and other measurable benefits that they say have come through his representation.
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬.
That is the strongest defence of continuity.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐁𝐎 𝐊𝐔𝐍/𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐃𝐄
Perhaps the people should move away from the language of “𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐡” and ask a more important question:
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐧/𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥?
If experience is the deciding factor, BOO has a strong argument.
If fresh energy and generational change are the priority, ITURA has a strong argument.
If political alignment with the Federal Government is considered important, BOO has an advantage through the APC platform.
If voters believe state-level political relationships can compensate for federal party differences, ITURA’s supporters have an argument to make.
If previous legislative experience is the priority, BOO’s record deserves examination.
If advocacy, youth engagement and a fresh political approach are the priority, ITURA’s record deserves examination.
𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒
The greatest danger in this election is for supporters on either side to turn political disagreement into personal hatred.
BOO should not be condemned merely because he has spent many years in office.
ITURA should not be dismissed merely because he is a new voice seeking an opportunity.
The two candidates should be challenged to present their records, programmes and vision before the people.
Let BOO tell the people what his years in the National Assembly have achieved.
Let ITURA tell the people what he intends to do differently.
Let both explain how they will attract federal development.
Let both explain how they will create opportunities for young people.
Let both explain their positions on infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and economic development.
And then let the people decide.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐁𝐎𝐎 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀.
It is a choice about the future direction of 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐧/𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲.
The people must decide whether they want continuity or change.
They must decide whether experience or fresh energy should take priority.
They must decide whether federal political alignment is an advantage or whether strong relationships across political divides are sufficient.
They must decide whether the existing representative deserves another opportunity or whether the time has come for a new face.
Ultimately, however, the winner should not be BOO or ITURA alone.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐧/𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞.
If BOO wins, his mandate should be a mandate for greater performance, stronger federal influence and measurable development.
If ITURA wins, his mandate should be a mandate for fresh ideas, youth inclusion, effective advocacy and tangible results.
The people should not simply ask:
“𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞?”
They should ask:
“𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫?”
They should not ask only:
“𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡?”
They should also ask:
“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝?”
And they should not ask only:
“𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐡?”
They should ask:
“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫?”
The arguments will continue.
But when the ballot is finally cast, the people of Obokun/Oriade will have the final mathematics.
Experience versus new energy.
Continuity versus change.
Federal alignment versus cross-party relationships.
Established structure versus emerging structure.
The choice belongs to the people.
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐧. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐧/𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧.
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲:
𝐅𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍 (𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒)
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