Olajengbesi takes aim at Oke’s 24-year grip on Reps seat

Pelumi Olajengbesi, the Accord Party candidate for the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, has launched a challenge at long-serving lawmaker Wole Oke, declaring that the 2027 election will mark the end of what he described as 24 years of recycled leadership and underperformance in the constituency.

 

Fresh from securing his party’s ticket, the lawyer vowed to champion a new era of youth-driven representation, promising voters a credible alternative to the political status quo that has dominated the constituency since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Olajengbesi emerged as the Accord Party’s candidate for the House of Representatives seat and was presented with his Certificate of Return on Friday in Osun State in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His emergence sets the stage for a fierce contest against Oke, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has represented the constituency for nearly a quarter of a century.

 

The Accord Party chieftain and spokesman for the Imole Campaign Council, which is championing the re-election of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, said the constituency had remained stagnant because of the continuous recycling of the same political ideas and leadership.

According to him, the time has come for effective youth representation capable of addressing the development challenges facing communities across Oriade and Obokun local government areas.

Speaking while accepting his Certificate of Return, Olajengbesi described his candidacy as both an honour and a responsibility to serve the people.

“This moment is one of gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to the service of our people,” he said.

“First and foremost, I give all glory to God Almighty, whose grace and guidance have brought us this far. I am deeply grateful to our party leaders, stakeholders, supporters, and the countless men and women who believe in our shared vision for a better and more prosperous Oriade/Obokun.”

He added that the certificate represented more than a political nomination, saying it symbolised the trust reposed in him by party members and supporters.

“This certificate is not just a symbol of candidature; it is a reminder of the responsibility before us and the collective journey we must undertake together,” he said.

Olajengbesi, an Ijebu-Ijesa-born lawyer from Oriade Local Government Area, turns 40 in August and has been active in grassroots political mobilisation through the Imole Grassroots Mobilisation Network. He previously contested for the same seat in 2019 and has remained involved in community engagement and political advocacy.

The Accord candidate argued that the constituency needs fresh ideas and a new generation of leaders who understand the aspirations of young people and can drive meaningful development.

“The work begins now. By God’s grace, with unity, dedication, and the support of our people, we will build a future that reflects the hopes and aspirations of every community across our constituency,” he said.

With the 2027 elections still months away, Olajengbesi’s emergence signals what could become one of the most closely watched House of Representatives contests in Osun State, as he seeks to end Oke’s 24-year hold on the seat and usher in a new chapter of representation for the constituency.