The Ijesa North Progressive Forum has strongly condemned recent comments made by Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi Irekandu, representing Obokun State Constituency, and Hon. Kanmi Ajibola, representing Oriade State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, over their criticism of Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke, the member representing Ijesa North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
In a joint statement, the group expressed dismay at the remarks credited to the two lawmakers, who suggested that Hon. Oke may only temporarily occupy the federal seat until the next electoral cycle and accused him of losing alignment with the “spirit, structure, and will” of the constituency. The forum described the statement as “unfounded, unpatriotic, and politically motivated.”
According to the Ijesa North Progressive Forum, Hon. Oke’s decision to exit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is within his constitutional rights and does not warrant attacks or insinuations. “Dragging other leaders into this matter through wild assumptions and imagined endorsements is not only disingenuous but also a disservice to the democratic values we all uphold,” the statement read.
The group went further to berate Hon. Irekandu and Hon. Ajibola for attempting to intimidate grassroots leaders and loyalists who have chosen to align with Hon. Oke’s new political direction. “They deceive only themselves and their blindfolded followers. Whether council chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, or political appointees choose to follow Hon. Wole Oke, the two Assembly members have no power to stop them,” the group declared.
The forum advised the lawmakers to focus on their core legislative responsibilities and stop engaging in what it called “political theatre and empty rhetoric.” They added that governance should take precedence over petty political rivalry and personal vendettas.
Affirming the political relevance of Hon. Oke, the group maintained that the federal lawmaker has moved on to focus on meaningful service delivery, stating that “the political space in Ijesa North is defined by service, not noise; by substance, not sentiment.”
Looking ahead, the Ijesa North Progressive Forum asserted that the people of the constituency are politically aware and will make informed decisions when the time comes. “No amount of revisionist storytelling or misinformation by desperate PDP loyalists can erase the people’s memories or alter their democratic choices in 2027,” the statement added.
In a more personal tone, the group warned the two Assembly members against taking any further political oaths that may compromise their loyalty to the people. They also urged them to use their influence to advocate for meaningful infrastructural development, including the repair of the collapsed Ere-Ijesa bridge that links Ilahun and Ibokun.
The statement concluded by calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to focus on tangible development across Ijesa North Federal Constituency and discourage the dissemination of misleading information by his allies on social media.
