12/10/2026
IBADAN NORTH 2027: CONTINUITY OVER EMPTY PROMISES!
HON. FOLAJINMI OYEKUNLE DON: JUDGE THE RECORD, NOT THE RHETORIC
IBADAN NORTH: THE TIME TO REJECT MISLEADING NARRATIVES AND EMBRACE CONTINUITY IS NOW!
The political conversation surrounding Ibadan North Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections is becoming increasingly interesting. While some political actors are busy promoting new promises and presenting political inheritance as a qualification for leadership, the people of Ibadan North must ask a more fundamental question: Who is delivering results, and who is merely making promises?
A recent article seeking to discredit Hon. Folajinmi Oyekunle Don, the member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, attempts to portray his tenure as a disappointment. It describes him as an "audio representative" while promoting another aspirant's proposed programmes as the solution to the constituency's challenges.
However, political accountability demands more than catchy slogans, emotional appeals, and ambitious promises. It requires an honest assessment of what has been done, what is being done, and what can realistically be achieved through continued representation.
The people of Ibadan North deserve facts, not political propaganda; performance, not promises; and continuity, not an unnecessary return to square one.
TEN MONTHS OF REPRESENTATION: LET THE PROJECTS SPEAK!
The claim that Hon. Folajinmi Oyekunle Don has achieved little in his first ten months deserves to be examined against the projects and programmes attributed to his administration.
Among the reported constituency interventions are the following:
1. FIVE SOLAR-POWERED BOREHOLES ACROSS FIVE WARDS
Access to clean water remains a fundamental need in many communities. Hon. Don's reported provision of five solar-powered boreholes across Wards 2, 4, 7, 8 and 10 represents an intervention in an essential public service.
These facilities are intended to improve access to water, reduce the burden on households, and support the daily needs of residents.
Water provision is not an achievement that should be dismissed simply because it does not come with a political concert or a dramatic campaign announcement. Its real value lies in the difference it makes to ordinary people.
2. ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT IN STRATEGIC COMMUNITIES
The reported road projects associated with Hon. Don's representation include:
- Sanni Street, Ward 4.
- Attenda, Ajibodu, Idiomo and Alawada, off NTA Road, Ward 4.
- Major Salawu Road, Agbowo, Ward 12.
Road infrastructure affects traders, students, transport operators, residents and small-business owners. Better roads can improve mobility, reduce transportation difficulties and support local economic activity.
These projects deserve proper public documentation, inspection and assessment. But they also deserve to be discussed fairly rather than ignored in an attempt to sustain a predetermined political narrative.
If these interventions are delivering benefits to residents, they should form part of the constituency's assessment of its representative.
The relevant question is not whether every road in Ibadan North has been completed. It is whether meaningful interventions have been initiated and whether the representative is building on them to address more of the constituency's infrastructure needs.
3. MONTHLY YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
A constituency's development cannot be measured by infrastructure alone. The economic circumstances of its people matter equally.
Hon. Don's reported monthly youth and women empowerment programmes seek to support vulnerable groups and create opportunities for economic participation.
Young people need more than speeches about unemployment. Women need more than promises of financial inclusion. They need practical interventions that help them develop their skills, sustain their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
The effectiveness of these programmes should be assessed through participation records, beneficiary feedback and evidence of the support provided.
Nevertheless, it is unfair to claim that a representative has done nothing while overlooking reported empowerment initiatives simply because political opponents prefer a different approach.
4. WIDOW EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS
Widows often face significant economic and social challenges, particularly when they are responsible for supporting children and other dependants.
Hon. Don's reported widow empowerment initiative reflects an effort to extend constituency support to people who may otherwise struggle to access economic opportunities.
The measure of such a programme should be the dignity it restores, the practical assistance it provides and the improvements it makes possible in beneficiaries' lives.
Public service should not be reduced to the number of press releases issued by a politician. Its ultimate purpose is to improve human welfare.
5. SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Sports provide an important avenue for discovering talent, promoting discipline, encouraging healthy lifestyles and creating opportunities for young people.
Hon. Don's reported sports development initiatives should therefore be considered alongside his infrastructure and empowerment interventions.
At a time when many young people are searching for opportunities, constructive engagement through sports can help nurture talent and strengthen community participation.
Ibadan North needs representatives who recognise that development includes both physical infrastructure and investment in human potential.
6. FOOD PALLIATIVES FOR RESIDENTS
The rising cost of living has placed considerable pressure on households across Nigeria.
Food palliatives may not solve the country's wider economic challenges, but properly administered assistance can provide temporary relief to households struggling to meet their basic needs.
Hon. Don's reported food palliative programme is another intervention that should be evaluated on the basis of its reach, transparency and impact.
The people of Ibadan North deserve to know who benefited, what assistance was distributed and how the programme can be improved. That is how accountability should work: by demanding evidence and better delivery, not by pretending that reported interventions do not exist.
7. HEALTH INSURANCE AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
Healthcare costs can push vulnerable families into financial hardship. Access to health insurance can help reduce that burden and improve the ability of beneficiaries to obtain necessary medical attention.
Hon. Don's reported health insurance initiative is therefore a relevant part of the constituency's social welfare conversation.
Its value should be assessed by the number of beneficiaries enrolled, the coverage provided and the extent to which participants can access healthcare when needed.
These are measurable questions. They are far more useful than blanket declarations that a representative has failed.
THE "AUDIO REPRESENTATIVE" LABEL: A POLITICAL SLOGAN IS NOT AN AUDIT REPORT!
Calling an elected representative an "audio rep" may generate attention on social media, but repetition does not transform an allegation into an established fact.
The article attacking Hon. Don raises questions about roads, legislative activities, constituency engagement and the welfare of victims of the Bodija explosion.
These are legitimate subjects for public scrutiny. Any representative should be prepared to explain their legislative record, constituency projects, public engagements and response to emergencies.
However, serious questions deserve serious answers.
If the allegation is that no bills or motions have been presented, the appropriate response is to examine official National Assembly records. If the claim is that there is no constituency office or town hall engagement, the relevant facts should be established. If there are concerns about assistance to Bodija explosion victims, the nature of the assistance provided, the needs that remain unmet and the representative's response should be investigated.
Accountability must be based on evidence, not on the assumption that every accusation made by a political opponent is true.
Equally, supporters of Hon. Don should not substitute praise for documentation. They should make project locations, beneficiary information and other verifiable records available to the public.
A fair assessment must recognise achievements where they exist, identify shortcomings where they are established, and demand improvements where necessary.
PROMISES FOR 2027 ARE NOT ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2026!
The article promoting Umar Farouk Arisekola Alao presents a series of proposed initiatives, including an ICT and technology hub for 5,000 youths, scholarships for 200 students annually, federal employment opportunities, business grants for market women and the repair of 20 inner roads.
These proposals may sound attractive. Indeed, youth employment, education, enterprise development and road infrastructure are important priorities for Ibadan North.
But a proposal is not the same as a completed project. A target is not a beneficiary list. A campaign announcement is not proof of funding, implementation or sustainability.
Before residents accept these promises as evidence of superior leadership, they should ask practical questions:
- What is the detailed implementation plan for the proposed ICT hub?
- How will the scholarships be funded, and what transparent criteria will determine eligibility?
- Through what lawful and established arrangements will federal employment opportunities be secured?
- What funding sources will support the proposed business grants?
- What are the estimated costs, timelines and procurement arrangements for repairing 20 inner roads?
- How will the public independently monitor the delivery of these commitments?
These are not hostile questions. They are the minimum standards that responsible voters should apply to every aspirant.
Umar Farouk Arisekola Alao deserves to have his proposals examined on their merits. But those proposals should not automatically be treated as proof that he would perform better than the incumbent.
Ibadan North should not abandon a record of reported interventions merely because another aspirant has presented an impressive list of future intentions.
Let every candidate present a record, a realistic plan, a funding framework and a clear system of accountability.
FAMILY LEGACY IS AN ADVANTAGE, NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSONAL PERFORMANCE
There is nothing inherently wrong with coming from a respected family. Family heritage can inspire public service, philanthropy and a commitment to community development.
The legacy of a parent may be a source of motivation, but the responsibilities of elected office belong to the individual seeking the mandate.
The question for every aspirant is simple: What have you personally done? What leadership responsibilities have you undertaken? What measurable results can you demonstrate? What realistic plans do you have for the people you want to represent?
These questions should apply equally to Hon. Don and every other contender.
The people of Ibadan North must resist the temptation to confuse family reputation with proven political capacity. Respect for a predecessor's accomplishments does not automatically establish that an heir is the most qualified person to occupy public office.
Likewise, no candidate should be condemned merely because of their family background.
In a democracy, political inheritance does not replace public accountability, and family name alone cannot substitute for a personal record of service.
Every aspirant must earn the people's confidence through competence, integrity, demonstrated commitment and the ability to deliver.
PARTY AFFILIATION AND THE PEOPLE'S INTEREST
The criticism of Hon. Don over his movement from the PDP to the Allied People's Movement (APM) raises another issue that deserves a balanced discussion.
Political parties and their ideologies matter. Voters are entitled to question the reasons behind a politician's change of party and to assess whether that decision serves the public interest.
However, party affiliation alone cannot conclusively determine whether an elected representative has performed well or poorly.
A representative's record must also be judged by the projects pursued, the constituents served, the legislation supported, the quality of engagement with the public and the effectiveness of representation.
If a candidate changes parties, the public should demand a clear explanation. If a candidate remains in one party, the public should still demand evidence of performance.
Neither changing parties nor maintaining party loyalty is, by itself, a substitute for delivering good governance.
For Hon. Don, the task is to explain his political decisions transparently while allowing residents to assess the substance of his representation.
For every challenger, the task is to demonstrate that the alternative being offered is more than an attractive campaign narrative.
WHY CONTINUITY MATTERS IN IBADAN NORTH
Continuity does not mean giving an elected official unlimited time or excusing every shortcoming. It means recognising that meaningful development often requires sustained planning, implementation, monitoring and improvement.
Where projects have been initiated, the public should ask whether they are functioning properly and what additional work is required. Where empowerment programmes have begun, the next question should be how to expand their reach and improve their effectiveness. Where gaps remain, the representative should be challenged to address them.
The reported boreholes, road interventions, youth and women empowerment, widow support, sports development, food palliatives and health insurance initiatives provide a basis for examining Hon. Don's first ten months in office.
The constituency should demand verifiable evidence of their delivery and assess their impact. If confirmed, these interventions should count in his favour.
Ten months is also an opportunity to establish clear performance benchmarks for the remaining period of the mandate.
Hon. Don should publish progress reports, provide accessible channels for constituency engagement, clarify his legislative activities and explain how he intends to extend his interventions to more communities.
That is how continuity should work: not as a blank cheque, but as an opportunity to consolidate progress, correct weaknesses and deliver more.
The people should not have to choose between uncritical praise for the incumbent and unquestioning acceptance of an alternative's promises. They deserve a serious comparison of performance, plans and capacity.
IBADAN NORTH 2027: LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE ON THE EVIDENCE!
The 2027 election should be about the future of Ibadan North Federal Constituency, not a contest of family names, political insults or social media slogans.
It should be about access to water, better roads, youth employment, support for women and widows, healthcare, education, legislative effectiveness and transparent representation.
Hon. Folajinmi Oyekunle Don's supporters have a responsibility to document his achievements, answer legitimate questions and show how a second term would build on the work already undertaken.
His challengers have an equally important responsibility: to demonstrate that their promises are practical, properly funded and achievable.
The people must look beyond campaign language and ask which candidate has the clearest evidence of performance, the most credible plans and the strongest commitment to accountability.
Ibadan North needs representation that builds on progress while addressing unfinished business. It needs a representative who understands that public office is a responsibility, not a family inheritance or a personal trophy.
For these reasons, supporters of Hon. Folajinmi Oyekunle Don can make a compelling case for continuity in 2027: build on the reported interventions, strengthen what is working, correct what is not, and deliver more for every ward in Ibadan North.
OUR MESSAGE IS CLEAR
We reject the idea that a politician should be judged by insults rather than evidence.
We reject the notion that campaign promises should automatically outweigh programmes and projects already undertaken.
We reject the assumption that a respected family name is sufficient proof of readiness for public office.
And we insist that every elected representative and every aspirant must be held to the same standard of accountability.
IBADAN NORTH 2027: CONTINUITY, CONSOLIDATION AND MORE DELIVERABLES!
HON. FOLAJINMI OYEKUNLE DON — LET THE RECORD BE EXAMINED, LET THE PEOPLE JUDGE, AND LET CONTINUITY BE EARNED THROUGH PERFORMANCE.
The future of Ibadan North must be decided by informed constituents who demand results, value accountability and refuse to confuse political rhetoric with proven delivery.
Our constituency deserves progress that can be seen, projects that can be verified and representation that keeps working.
Ola Azeez A.
