By James Bamgbose
Once upon a time, in a small but hopeful constituency, the people came together and chose a man they believed could lead them into growth and development. He spoke their language, shared their history, and promised to be their voice in the corridors of power. With a heart full of trust, they handed him the mantle of authority, hoping he would open doors of opportunity and advocate for their collective advancement. But once he tasted power, his tune changed. He built walls instead of bridges, elevating himself while deliberately keeping his people beneath him, fearful that if they grew too much, they might rival or even surpass him.
Over the years, he became a master of manipulation, rewarding loyalty with crumbs and punishing ambition with silence. Those who dared to dream beyond his imposed limits found their paths blocked. He surrounded himself with enablers who echoed his distorted vision and enforced his will, all while the people who once trusted him languished in stagnation. Their talents were stifled, their voices muffled, and their future mortgaged to feed one man’s insecurity and thirst for dominance.
But as fate would have it, a Liberator emerged. With wisdom, courage, and empathy, the Liberator began to dismantle the structures of oppression that had held the constituency hostage for decades. He opened up new avenues for growth, gave people the freedom to aspire, and reminded them of their worth. Slowly, those who were once shackled by dependence began to rise, walking away from the shadows of their former captor. Their talents blossomed, and for the first time in years, hope returned to their hearts.
Unable to stomach this wave of liberation in his constituency, the former leader—saw the people’s progress as a personal insult. No longer revered or feared, he now paints himself as the victim of betrayal. He whines about disrespect, claiming the liberator has turned people against him, conveniently forgetting the years he spent holding them down. But the people see clearly now. They recognize his tactics for what they are, desperation from a man who thought power was his birthright. His era is over, and a new dawn has come.
It is never my intention to insult the personality of Honourable Wole Oke, a man who has, for years, held the political mandate of the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency. He might find his way back to the “true progressive” fold tomorrow. However, in the face of recent events, it became imperative to paint a clear picture that puts his actions under the right lens and challenges the narrative he now seeks to sell that every other person except him are villain. Politics is a noble venture when the intent is right, but when the intention becomes clouded by personal ego and fear of irrelevance, then it takes a dangerous turn.
In recent times, he has repositioned himself as the aggrieved party, claiming marginalization, raising alarm over neglect, and suggesting betrayal by the same system that created and sustained him for over two decades. This revisionist approach to politics is not only misleading but equally insulting to the intelligence of the very people he seeks to win over.
No one can rightly claim that a 5 term House of Representatives member lacks political relevance in his constituency. That would be far from the truth. Honourable Busayo Oluwole Oke has been a recurring name on the ballot and an ever-present figure in national politics. However, it would be an injustice to history to pretend that his relevance is self-made. His political longevity was made possible by the enduring structure, loyal supporters, and sacrifices of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The 6 times Honourable Wole Oke ever made it to the ballot were all under the platform of the PDP. The party gave him structure, mobilized for him, defended him during political storms, and kept faith with him even when performances weren’t overwhelming. That is a legacy of loyalty from the party. But now, he has turned his back on that same platform, accusing it of imaginary injustices simply because his ambition is no longer the centerpiece of the collective dream.
Imagine a child who has repeated the same class for 24 years. Should the teacher or the school be blamed for such a child’s failure? That is the metaphorical situation we find ourselves in with BOO. For all his years in the National Assembly, he has shown no desire to rise beyond the House of Representatives. That is not consistency, it is comfort, maybe even complacency. While others aimed for the Senate, Governorship, or other national appointments, BOO remained rooted in a single ambition.
Yes, politics is a game of interest. But it should never be mistaken as a license to play the game selfishly. In a game where the players are expected to reflect the will of the people, personal interest should never outweigh collective progress. Honourable Wole Oke’s recent conduct smacks of a man more concerned about the erosion of personal influence than the genuine development of his constituency.
Several people within the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency who have weighed in on the matter of BOO’s defection hold one common phrase that stood out, “Oga is a very greedy man.” That statement, though blunt, is telling. It speaks to years of bottled frustration, of a people who feel caged by a political landlord who rarely allows others to grow or contribute meaningfully within the same space.
What has changed now? A man who rarely granted interviews throughout his lengthy stay in office has suddenly found his voice. In the past two weeks alone, he has appeared more on radio and television than he ever did in his previous four terms. It is not communication we are witnessing, it is damage control. A desperate attempt to manipulate public sentiment and play the victim card after voluntarily exiting a platform that once held him up.
There’s an old saying: “Leave the stage when the ovation is loudest.” But BOO did not heed that wisdom. Instead, he chose to stay until the applause faded, and now, in his exit, he wants to scatter the stage and silence the emerging voices that challenge his old order. It is a pitiful sight, watching a political titan resort to such petty antics.
His constituents are watching, and this time, they are wiser. Osun’s political awareness has deepened. The masses are no longer afraid to challenge status quo, especially when the status quo has failed to deliver sustained transformation.
Dear Honourable Wole Oke, it is worth reminding you that some months ago on one of our PDP platforms, I asked you a question concerning your involvement in “AIGO 2026 Think Tank,” a support group for former Governor Oyetola. You did not respond, you chickened out and exited the group shortly after. Why would a man claiming loyalty to the PDP and Governor Ademola Adeleke be part of a structure clearly working for the opposition and even serving as an admin?
You have shouted from the rooftops that you supported Governor Adeleke in 2022. However, accounts from several stakeholders say otherwise. You cannot be both a friend and saboteur of the same cause.
The truth is, you saw the shift in Osun politics and realized that your long-held grip on your federal constituency and Osun PDP was slipping. The rising voices of younger, visionary leaders are challenging your dominance. Rather than adapt and mentor, you chose disruption. That’s not leadership—it’s ego.
Your bitterness is not rooted in ideological differences. It is the reaction of a man who can no longer dictate the terms. You once held the keys to political access in your constituency and the party. Now that the people have found their voice, you are uncomfortable.
For 24 years, you had your turn. Why is it so difficult to let others have theirs? Is this what representation has been reduced to—a personal franchise?
The PDP has moved on. The party is restructuring and allowing fresh leaders to emerge. The people, too, have moved on. They no longer wish to be tools in the hands of self-serving politicians. And no amount of media rounds can reverse that awakening.
Power belongs to the people. That is the core of democracy. And those who wield it without accountability will always be shown the door when the time comes. You had that power. You used it for years. But now, the people want something different and that’s not a crime.
It’s time for reflection. You can still preserve your legacy by choosing dignity over division. Osun needs statesmen, not political merchants. People who will build, not burn. Mentor, not manipulate. Guide, not gossip.
But if you must continue on this path of self-victimization and attempted destruction, then history will take note. And when it does, it will remember the roles we all played not just in victory, but in betrayal; not just in service, but in self-interest.
Osun is moving forward. Osun is PDP. The people are awake. The old ways are dying, and a new generation of political leaders is emerging—ones not tied to personal empires but committed to people-centered governance. Let that be the message to you, Honourable Oluwole Oke, and others who shares your transactional politics.
- James Bamgbose writes from Ward 4, Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government, Osun State. He can be reached via bamgbosejames9@gmail.com
