My brothers and sisters, let us gather to reflect on a truth that has been too long ignored and a reality too often concealed behind the veil of fleeting gestures.
Over the years, Hon. Leke Abejide, a second-term representative of the good people of Yagba Federal Constituency, has been hailed by some as a great man, even mistakenly compared to the illustrious Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
But I must ask: where is the evidence of this greatness? Where are the fruits of his stewardship for the people he vowed to serve?
We see him as the Chairman of the Committee on Customs, a position of influence and authority.
Yet, when we look at the lives of his constituents, we find a story of despair rather than hope, of stagnation rather than progress.
The token vehicles distributed in the past, refurbished, unreliable, and unsustainable, have long disappeared from our roads. The roads themselves are a testament to neglect, unworthy of their name and unfit for travel.
Our schools, where the seeds of the future should be nurtured, stand in ruins and serve as tragic symbols of abandonment.
Our health centers, which should be sanctuaries of healing, have become places of suffering, where life slips away unnoticed and uncared for.
It is not enough to give the people tokens when what they need is transformation. It is not enough to offer temporary fixes when what they need are enduring solutions.
Hon. Abejide must rise above the politics of tokenism and embrace the politics of empowerment. He must learn from the example of men like Hon. James Faleke, who have committed themselves to raising others, building communities, and investing in the future of Okun land. For leadership is not measured by what a man receives but by what he gives back to uplift the lives of others.
In six long years, we have not seen the elevation of his followers, the empowerment of his people, or the creation of opportunities that could break the cycle of poverty.
Instead, we see a constituency left poorer, not only in material terms but in spirit and hope. And so, we must ask ourselves: how long shall we remain silent? How long shall we endure the crumbs when we deserve the feast?
The time has come to demand more from our leaders. The time has come to hold them accountable for the promises they made. For silence, my brothers and sisters, is no longer golden. Let us raise our voices, not in anger, but in a righteous demand for justice, fairness, and the dignity that every man, woman, and child in Yagba Federal Constituency deserves.
It is unfortunate that Hon. Leke Abejide cannot point to one person he has raised in Okun land since becoming a federal lawmaker. We urge him to learn from Hon. James Faleke’s large-hearted and impactful leadership and commitment to empowering people.
