By: Ade Adeleke
Hon. Bunmi-Tunji-Ojo, being described as the most performing lawmaker since the inception of democracy in Akoko North East and North West Federal Constituency, indubitably got airplay with all and sundry keying into his philosophical mantra even in the teeth of needless rotation. SUNSHINETRUTH examines how and why BTO will be reelected despite some few selfish politicians trying to unsettle him and political camp.
Without a modicum of doubt, tagging BTO’s feats as matchless is not an affectation meant to hoodwink his constituents even as some infinitesimal number of persons have erroneously portrayed in some quarters. It is imperative to adjudge that the undisputable achievements are too obvious downplay.
Representing the Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Tunji-Ojo chairs the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He has implicitly outclassed those who held sway before him with unprecedented projects.
Being a first-timer, BTO facilitated the construction of Owatumise road to Ugbe Akoko, Oyinmo road in Ikare Akoko, Akunnu-Ajowa road; Federal Technical road, Ikare: Uku/Akungba road to Civil Defence office; Inland Road At Ikare – Ugbe Akoko; Okeagbe Akoko Road; Odeiyare Road Ikare; Ase Akoko Road, Irun Akoko Road, and other ongoing road projects like the Agbo-Okela Road to Oscars road, Afin Akok, Ogbagi Akoko Road To Irun Akoko, Ogbagi Akoko Main Town Road, among many others.
He also created an environment for education to thrive in Akoko North East/North West. He has donated educational materials to all public secondary schools in his constituency and facilitated the construction of modern classrooms in public schools to make learning conducive. BTO also recently gave scholarship to fatherless undergraduates from Ajowa, and he remains committed to the payment of indigent students’ school fees. For those yet to be admitted into any institution of learning, the quintessential lawmaker has so far obtained and distributed more than 1000 JAMB forms and enrolled hundreds of students in computer training.
About 6000 youth have been empowered with skills to become their own bosses, while a new skills acquisition center has been approved for Ogbagi Akoko. BTO donated 500KV transformer to NTA Ilepa Ikare-Akoko as part of efforts to boost information and communication for the local constituents.
The aforementioned success recorded, virtually in critical sectors, is just a few to mention among many other impeccable deeds carried out by BTO, hence it is very pressing for the electorates in the Federal Constituency to look beyond the inimitable achievements of the Lawmaker.
The lawmaker, popularly called BTO who is seeking a re-election highlighted hid achievements which have embolden him to come and solicit their support again.
He said, “Four years ago, we were here to plead for your votes and you gave it to us freely. All the works we have done within these four years are the result of your votes. No political ward has been left out.
“Our water projects, electrification projects, road projects, interventions in the education sector and many other legislative interventions in the constituency.”
However, it is very crucial for the electorate to look beyond the good narratives and vote again for Bunmi-Tunji-Ojo because continuity is needed only when a performer’s performances is scarce as the hen’s teeth.
Contrary to the conventional, but unwritten and already pre-historic system, which some have hinged their stances on, it is note worthy to state that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity. Change is indispensable.
Voters must reject the fair weather politicians selling ‘rotation’ instead of tilting attention towards the development of the Constituency. If a first timer could clinch a robust seat in the green chamber and performed beyond expectations of voters, ordinarily, there shouldn’t be any encumbrance in voting BTO whose performance has endeared him to the public, but some vested interests are scheming for selfish reason.
Ikare traditional institution recently described the activities of a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lasisi Oluboyo and a former member of the House of Representatives, Stephen Olemija, in Ikare Akoko as an act of war against the town that brought them to limelight.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional institution in the town, Chief Ekunusi Muhammadu, noted that those waging war against the interest of the town were those who were raised by the town from nothing to limelight.
Reacting to a meeting held with the support of Oluboyo and Olemija to push rotational agreement narrative in the Federal Constituency, Ekunusi noted that such gathering is not acceptable by the people of Ikare Akoko.
According to him, “Since the creation of Akoko North East local government, we have never represented Ondo North Senatorial district at the National Assembly. Now that the Governor (Oluwarotimi Akeredolu) in his magnanimity has given us his the ticket with the support of BTO, we are surprised that some few persons from Ikare can organise meetings against the interest of the town not considering that they rode on the back of Ikare to be whatever they are today.
“On BTO who is seeking reelection, he has done exceptionally well. There is no street he did not touch and many persons have benefited from his empowerment drive. He has done well for us and we will reward him with our support so that anyone who gets the opportunity next will also do well bearing in mind that the people are watching.
“Those holding evil meetings to thwart the efforts of the town have failed as they have nobody to support their wicked moves against the town.
The traditional institution in Ikare also quenched the rumour of a rotational agreement between Akoko North West and Akoko North East local government areas for the House of Representatives position, stressing that it is “just a beer parlour talk”.
While confirming this position, an Ikare Chief, High Chief Muftau Lawal, noted that there is nothing like rotational agreement in Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency.
In his words, “Let me say, for the record, that there is no rotational agreement between Akoko North East and Akoko North West local governments. Go and check the history, at every election in the federal constituency, both local governments have always presented candidates. If there was agreement, nobody would have contested against Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in 2019 from Akoko North East local government. Two persons contested against him from (Akoko Northeast) local government.
“Those who are saying there is an agreement between the two local government should come forward with the evidence and proof. They should bring the document and let us see those who signed it. The rumour of agreement is just a beer parlour talk.
“The position of Ikare is that all Ikare sons and daughters should go out on the election day, and cast their votes for BTO, Jide Ipinsagba and Bola Tinubu. We appreciate the Governor for this opportunity and the support of our son BTO to get this senate position,” the Chief concluded.
SUNSHINETRUTH learnt that Ikare people in particular are appreciative of efforts of BTO in ensuring that one of them, Pastor Jide Ipinsagba picked the senatorial ticket of the ruling APC for Ondo North. Voters in most parts of Akoko Northeast local government especially in the 11 wards in Ikare metropolis will definitely pay BTO back with massive votes comes February 25, 2023.
Investigation from Ikare clearly shows that only few selfish politicians from Ikare as led by a former Deputy Governor are working against the bigger interest of Ikare, as majority of the people in the ancient town prefer to have a Senator for the first time in Ipinsagba than House of Reps seat. Their argument remains that Ikare is the only major town in Ondo State that had never produced a Senator or Governor since 1976 when the state was created, while the town had produced members of the House of Representatives severally without serious benefits to show for such.
From all indications, BTO, Ipinsagba and Tinubu shall get massive votes far ahead their opponents in Akoko Northeast and Akoko Northwest local government areas during the Presidential and National Assembly on Saturday February 25, 2023.
