By Dr. Joel Ademisoye, United States
Hello, Owo Renaissance Group. Having read your brilliantly written article titled, “The “Dual-Capacity” Myth: Why Owo Can and Should Aim Higher,” I found it to be meaningful, insightful, educational and debunked the many myths being peddled by the current Representative of the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency, Temihen Adelegbe’s pursuit of the Third term in office. Consequently, I write a rejoinder to echo, educate and enlighten the Owo people about the pseudo claims, political propaganda and gimmicks of “continuity in office”, by the Adelegbe’s election campaign organization and supporters as well. A relevant question that the Owo people should be asking, Adelegbe’s Continuity in office for whom, Owo or Ose people? This is part of the many myths that Rep Adelegbe, is peddling in the Owo- Ose communities and among the people, who are registered voters in the federal constituency. Can Rep Adelegbe tally and share with the constituents, his achievements in or contributions to the Owo- Ose Federal Constituency as revealed by the legacy projects or his major federal government legislations and programs in the 8 years of his tenure? Alternatively, Adelegbe should list his constituency projects and the breakdown of the expenditures on the capital projects during his two terms in office.
Without mincing words, your article, honestly speaking, is an eye opener, which sheds some lights on the questionable claims from the Rep Adelegbe’s political campaign in support of the 3rd time, which has generated controversy and political firestorm without no historic basis nor it is substantiated by the past political tradition, experience and evidence of the former Rep of the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency, Prince Alaba Lad Ojomo, who only served two terms or 8 years (2003-2011), in the House of Representatives in Abuja. Also, Adelegbe’s seeking the 3rd term in the House, raises some fundamental questions about the principles of fairness, justice and eroding the rules of the Nigeria’s political system of democracy and democratic governance. In my humble opinion, I characterized Adelegbe as a political monopoly in the Owo- Ose Federal Constituency by seeking a third term in the House of Representatives in Abuja.
Hence, the bitter truth is, the House of Representative position of the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency should and must be based on the Rotational Principle and shared between the two local government areas. Adelegbe’s 3rd term constitutes a diabolical effort and a blatant violation of the equity principle between the two local government areas. The Owo people should not tolerate the cheating and permit Adelegbe to take advantage and exploit his incumbent office and use the spending power of the Nairas to cajole, attract and buy the voters in the Owo community. Therefore, it is imperative that the Owo people seek, promote and protect the political interests of the Owo Local Government Area within the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State. I likened the Nigerian politics to the Cash and Carry business in the country. The truth of the matter is, a heavy spending of the Nairas by the incumbent office holder, Adelegbe’s well oiled election campaign machine, which could influence and tilt the outcome of the election in the favor of the incumbent.
Hon Adelegbe has served two terms in the House of Representatives in Abuja. For this writer, Adelegbe’s 3rd term, is a political excess at the detriment of the Owo Local Government Area. In fact, it is a deliberate decision and effort to deprive, robb and deny the Owo Local Government Area of its turn to represent and serve the people of the constituency. Hence, my cry that ‘Awa Lokan,’ in the Yoruba Language, (meaning it is our turn!). Thus, I consider the Adelegbe’s 3rd term as irresponsible, absurd and selfish, a political goal that is diametrically opposed to and undermines the principle of the political inclusion in the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency of the Ondo State. Bluntly put. Adelegbe’s political ambitions and plan for a third term, is antithesis of the Nigerian nascent democracy and a tool for the political marginalization of the Owo community and its people. Unequivocally, the Owo people shouldn’t support and vote for the Adelegbe’s candidacy in the upcoming election of 2027, because he is not a fair and honest elected politician with the interests of the Owo community and its people at heart. Against this backdrop of the Rep Adelegbe being disingenuous, not trustworthy and unfair to the Owo Local Government Area, I call on the Owo people to dump the Adelegbe’s deliberate decision to seek and implement his political game plan for a 3rd term in office. Therefore, I characterized the Adelegbe’s return to the House of Representatives in Abuja, is wind which blows the Owo community and its people, no good. Adelegbe’s track record in the House of Representatives in Abuja, speaks volumes about his poor political leadership, abysmal performance in office for two terms and incompetence in the National Assembly.
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