By: Oyebanjo Oluwaseun Abiola
As the Saturday, August 16 Remo Federal Constituency bye-election draws near, a keen political observer is compelled to reflect on the antecedents of each candidate vying under the various political parties and make the right choice. Beyond political rhetoric, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the ruling party in Ogun State, with Hon. (Dr.) Princess Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji, as the candidate for the bye-election, deserves the chance to ride to victory. Of course, achieving victory at the polls is not automatic for any ruling party; however, the achievements and successes of the APC in Ogun State since its ascension to power in 2011 have been legendary. Probably, the achievement evidences why the APC has remained the ruling political party in Ogun State to date.
Although the major opposition party within the state is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), not without its minimal achievements, one wonders what it really has to offer that makes it continue to believe it is competent to govern and deliver legislatively. Perhaps, its over-reliance on vote-buying gives its leaders such a false impression. But a quick reminder is that at the national and Ogun State levels, they have always come to the poll only to return vanquished and begin agonizing until the next election cycle, not without several failed attempts at the judiciary.
Unlike the APC, I believe that the PDP’s choice of candidates is one of the factors responsible for its perpetual loss. Rather than admit and correct these flaws, they repeat the same error during the next election period by presenting candidates who are merely stooges shielded and financed by a personality already charged and arraigned for money laundering activities during the last Gubernatorial Election; one who intended to buy and snatch victory to Oke-Mosan. So, the PDP not only lacks the discernment to choose a competent candidate but also the foresight to identify brilliantly talented individuals to run for elections.
As usual, they may adopt a style of lavish spending ahead of the Saturday, August 16 legislative election, but as an indigenous analyst, I understand that a personality that is vocal, honest, and of independent mind rather than one whose hope for success is tied to a persistently failed Governorship candidate/godfather is the best for the position.
This is why Honourable (Dr.) Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji, the APC candidate for the Remo Federal Constituency bye-election, stands tall, upright, and dependable to be given the mandate to represent the prestigious Remo People at the House of Representatives. If elected, the success is to be achieved by building upon the indelible legacy of the Late Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga a.k.a Ijaya, a woman whose vocal advocacy and influence in the House of Representatives led to the initiation of a bill establishing the Federal University of Science and Technology, Remo, Ogun State (FUSTRO).
A bill that is still under deliberation and passage in the House. When actualized, this would be a giant stride for the Remo people, enhancing development, opening up employment opportunities for the local people, and boosting the grassroots economy for traders, artisans, and transporters. Would this not be progressive? Hence, this initiative would have a far-reaching impact on Remo residents, in contrast to the populist lifestyle of lavish spending, which lacks lasting impact but is solely for media glorification.
From observations so far, the APC has been focusing on life-changing impacts rather than temporary empowerment. So, it is a party not of short-sighted politicians but one committed to infrastructural development (Sagamu-Ogijo road, Sagamu-Iperu-Ode Remo road, Sango axis road reconstruction, etc.), and landmark projects like the Agro Cargo International Airport. Beyond this, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, as governor, has attracted foreign investors, including the ongoing British Battery Recycling Plant, Agbara— the first of its kind in Africa.
Another is the Inner Galaxy Steel Company (a Chinese steel plant), among others. This will help create job opportunities for residents, improve their standard of living, foster development, and further boost the IGR of our dear State. Furthermore, the current administration carried out employment in the teaching sector, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), and also created job opportunities at the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA). Additionally, civil servants were absorbed; housing schemes in Iperu and Sagamu, among others, are significant projects that, although visible to everyone, are not to the PDP members.
Nonetheless, I am not surprised, as their inability to acknowledge the efforts and successes of the APC in Ogun State, from Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration to the current administration led by Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON, is a deliberate attempt to denigrate and downplay meaningful and productive governance.
Whereas, it is no hidden fact that the PDP nationally is in crisis and becoming desolate day by day. The recent defection of key stakeholders in the People’s Democratic Party, Ogun State, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) makes it clear why the remaining PDP members sound embittered and why their imposed House of Representatives candidate for the August 16 bye-election appears embattled. For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. (Dr.) Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji, the APC candidate, emerged as the best choice of the APC through a well-planned and transparent primary election rather than one that is obtainable in the party of those who throw stones.
With these facts in mind, the big question, similar to that spoken by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is: Who wants to jump on a sinking ship? The APC is the moving train, welcoming the few progressive members from the sinking party. The party, perhaps, keeps pulling the crowd because it gives its ticket to the best and most qualified, not one where a privileged oligarch hijacks the structures and plays god due to their war chest, thereafter imposing flag-bearers, not minding their antecedents and competence.
Dear people of Remoland, it is evident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has performed well beyond what cheap tantrums can overshadow. I beseech you to look beyond cheap propaganda and vote for the APC Hon. (Dr.) Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji at the August 16 Remo Federal Constituency Bye-Election. As usual, be assured of continued progress for Remo land in socio-economic and infrastructural development which the All Progressives Congress yields.
So far, the APC has set the pace for many monumental projects in our dear Gateway State, and the ISEYA developmental mantra of His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, has yielded excellently.
Long live the Gateway State!
Oyebanjo Oluwaseun Abiola (‘Banjo) writes from Iperu Remo,
Ikenne Local Government, Remo Federal Constituency.
