There was once a tenant named Wale who sought a simple life in the constituency of Obokun. His only wish was to secure a small apartment where he could live peacefully. He eagerly applied to one of the local Tenants’ Association for an apartment. But to his dismay, the association rejected his application. Wale felt bitter.
But just as he was about to give up, the same association, moved by compassion and duty, offered him an even greater opportunity, a much larger and prestigious apartment, jointly owned by two noble constituencies– Oriade and Obokun. With the association’s full backing, Wale not only moved in but was gifted everything he needed to succeed there (recognition and honour).
Thanks to the association’s influence, he was crowned “Chief Tenant” — a title that came with respect and influence over the entire constituency. For 24 uninterrupted years, Wale lived unchallenged, enjoying privileges that few tenants ever dreamed of. His status was cemented by the association’s unwavering support. The people revered him, but many reminded themselves that Wale’s throne was built not by conquest but by compassion and opportunity.
As the years dragged on, Wale’s gratitude turned to arrogance. Slowly, he began to see himself not as a mere tenant but as the landlord of the constituency, Oriade and Obokun. He forgot the hands that lifted him. He dismissed the traditions that preserved the association. Even whispers from the Oriade side, gently reminding him of their ownership rights, were ignored or silenced. The tenant who once depended entirely on the association’s mercy now behaved as though he was above everyone, even those who had sheltered and empowered him.
After nearly a quarter of a century, the association announced reforms, the Oriade would finally be given a fair chance to contest for the position of Chief Tenant and the tenant would have to compete for the apartment. It was a return to justice, a restoration of balance. But Wale, who had so long enjoyed the comfort of unopposed rule, could not face the idea of competition. Instead of standing to defend his apartment honourably, he fled from the association, betraying those who had stood by him when no one else would. That ended the saga of the overindulged tenant, not with dignity but with cowardice, leaving behind a legacy of ingratitude and broken trust.
I’ve tried to carefully observe the political scenes in the country, particularly that which involves Osun State before making my honest and biased opinion on them. Let me take from words of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, “Freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights. Defections, alliances, and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics. We’ve seen them before, and we’ll see them again.”
In every thriving democracy, political realignments, including defections from one party to another, are not anomalies. Defection is a natural expression of democratic freedom, protected under the same constitutional rights that allow individuals to freely associate and disassociate.
However, it is therefore both mischievous and irresponsible for any politician to mislead the public by shifting his failure on another person. Having listened carefully to the radio interview granted by Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke (BOO), it is clear that some who wear the title “Honourable” have sadly fallen short of the dignity it demands.
In that interview, Hon. Oke attempted to paint himself as a victim of persecution by the National Assembly simply because he belongs to an opposition party. He cited the deplorable state of inter-communal roads in his constituency, the alleged abandonment of his motions/bills, and a long list of grievances intended to curry public sympathy. But the discerning public knows better.
In politics, failure has no hiding place. No amount of media grandstanding can mask a record that speaks for itself. If anything, Hon. Oke’s interview only revealed a desperate attempt to shift blame away from where it rightly belongs: himself.
It is ironic that a man who proudly calls himself the “landlord” of his constituency seems ignorant of a simple truth: if an idiot gives an account of an incident, it is not the idiot who will judge the truthfulness of the story– the society will.
Across Nigeria, opposition lawmakers have achieved remarkable feats without playing the victim. Rep. Bamidele Salam from Osun is a perfect example. Despite belonging to an opposition party, he has successfully facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure in his constituency.
Why then has Hon. Wole Oke, a five-time member of the House of Representatives, failed to achieve similar milestones? His failure can not be blamed on party affiliation. It stems from a lack of strategic engagement, poor leadership, and perhaps a deeper disinterest in true constituency development.
Moreover, Hon. Oke’s claim of being sidelined by the NASS rings hollow when one considers his career trajectory. He was, until recently, the chairman of influential committees such as Defence and Public Accounts. He presided over “juicy” committees that wielded significant influence over national resources and policymaking.
At what point did the National Assembly leaders become his enemy? Was it only when questions about his impact and legacy began to surface? It appears Hon. Wole Oke subscribes to a troubling pattern among some career politicians, embracing victimhood whenever accountability is demanded. Instead of giving a clear account of his stewardship, he now waves the flag of persecution, a tired and insulting strategy.
Just as I have consistently observed about SRJ, it is clear that many who project an image of brilliance and sophistication crumble under the weight of basic logical inquiry. Blaming unseen enemies for personal shortcomings is not leadership; it is cowardice dressed in political rhetoric.
Rather than engage in meaningful introspection, Hon. Oke has chosen to weave tales of persecution to mask glaring failures. This is not only insulting to the intelligence of his constituents but also an abuse of the public trust he was elected to uphold.
In a true democracy, the people hold the power to question, to demand, and to remove those who fall short of expectations. Hon. Wole Oke’s political future — like that of every public servant — will not be determined by tales of victimhood but by the evidence of his performance or the lack thereof.
History, in its unsparing manner, will not write the excuses. It will write the results.
- James Bamgbose writes from Ward 4, Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government, Osun State. He can be reached via bamgbosejames9@gmail.com
