"Ejigbo, not marginalised", E4 Advocates Warns Against Divisive Political Campaign

Read Time:7 Minute, 54 Second

By Sola Isola

A coalition of community leaders, professionals, youth groups, and development-focused stakeholders, E4 The E4 Development Advocates has said Ejigbo Local Government has never been marginalised in the political history and terrain of the Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo and Egbedore Federal Constituency.

The group also warned political actors of divisive political campaigns adding that in time past, top politicians from Ejigbo Local Government have been members of the House of Reps, Speaker of the House of Assembly and even a member of The Senate.

While addressing a Press Conference in Osogbo, the Osun State Capital on Tuesday, the group through its Coordinator, Dr Ogundeji Awoniyi, declared support for the re-election bid of the member representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, at the House of Representatives, Hon Bamidele Salam.

The group stated that Salam has been ranked among the top 20 most productive lawmakers in the 10th Assembly adding that beyond legislative duties, Rep. Salam’s constituency outreach programs have been both inclusive and far-reaching.

The group further listed achievement of Salam to include: Construction of over 100 blocks of classrooms in 25 primary and secondary schools across the 4 Local Government Areas; Provision of Bursaries to over 3,000 students of secondary schools and higher institutions across the 4 local government areas; Training and Empowerment of over 1000 Youth and Young Graduates under the Business and Leadership Bootcamp Initiative with the presentation of over 150 million-naira grant for capital start-up and equipment to address youth unemployment and increase socio-economic impacts.

Others include: Provision of over 50 motorized and solar-powered boreholes in several communities across the Federal Constituency; Lit up several communities with solar-powered street lights across the Federal Constituency; Provision of Transformers (300KVA, 500KVA) to over 50 communities and facilitation of complete rural electrification projects to several communities across the federal constituency; Training and Distribution of Empowerment items to over 20,000 constituents across several fields such as local artisans, education, ICT, agriculture, digital marketing, etc; Presentation of over 40-milion naira grants to local women under the BS-E4 Ajoje Women Micro-Credit Scheme and lots more.

Read Full Address Below…

The E4 Development Advocates, a coalition of community leaders, professionals, youth groups, and development-focused stakeholders, hereby issue this communiqué to express our unwavering support for the re-election of Rep. Bamidele Salam to the House of Representatives to represent the good people of Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency once again.

Ranked among the top 20 most productive lawmakers in the 10th House of Representatives by ERGAF-AFRICA’s Legislative Productivity Index, Rep. Salam stands out as the top-performing representative from Osun State, with notable contributions including 33 legislative actions in a single session and multiple bills sponsored.

Beyond legislative duties, Rep. Salam’s constituency outreach programs have been both inclusive and far-reaching. From youth empowerment initiatives like the Business and Leadership Bootcamp, skills acquisition programs for women and artisans, medical and welfare outreach for the elderly and other vulnerable groups, and educational support schemes for students to healthcare interventions and infrastructure projects, Rep. Salam has maintained a people-centered approach to governance. These interventions have directly impacted thousands of constituents, particularly women, aged, people with disability, and young people.

Some of these verifiable projects include but are not limited to:

1. Construction of over 100 blocks of classrooms in 25 primary and secondary schools across the 4 Local Government Areas.
2. Provision of Bursaries to over 3,000 students of secondary schools and higher institutions across the 4 local government areas.
3. Training and Empowerment of over 1000 Youth and Young Graduates under the Business and Leadership Bootcamp Initiative with the presentation of over 150 million-naira grant for capital start-up and equipment to address youth unemployment and increase socio-economic impacts.
4. Provision of over 50 motorized and solar-powered boreholes in several communities across the Federal Constituency.
5. Lit up several communities with solar-powered street lights across the Federal Constituency.
6. Provision of Transformers (300KVA, 500KVA) to over 50 communities and facilitation of complete rural electrification projects to several communities across the federal constituency.
7. Training and Distribution of Empowerment items to over 20,000 constituents across several fields such as local artisans, education, ICT, agriculture, digital marketing, etc.
8. Presentation of over 40-milion naira grants to local women under the BS-E4 Ajoje Women Micro-Credit Scheme.
9. Presentation of 10-million naira grant to Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the four local government areas for micro-credit facilities.
10. Construction of 10 Town Halls, Civic Centres, Pensioner House, ICT Centre, Police Station, Leadership Training Centre, and Skill Acquisition Centre for different categories of professional groups and bodies across the Federal Constituency.
11. Sponsorship of over 100 indigent students on full scholarship both in private and public institutions in Nigeria and the diaspora.
12. Presentation of over 20-million naira Subvention/Grant to Students’ Bodies across the Federal Constituency.
13. Distribution of Instructional Materials, Teaching Aids, and Educational Items (computers, school bags, notebooks, textbooks, past questions, etc.) to over 200 public primary and secondary schools which has positively impacted the lives of over 20,000 school children across the Federal Constituency.
14. Facilitated permanent job opportunities for hundreds of constituents in different MDAs of the Federation.
15. Over 30 kilometres of road construction and rehabilitation across several communities in the federal constituency.

Democracy thrives on healthy competition. While we do not, in any way, oppose the legitimate aspirations of any individual seeking public office, we strongly reject a campaign strategy built on falsehood, emotional manipulation, and a dangerous attempt to rewrite political history.

For the avoidance of doubt, and in fairness to the intelligence of innocent and unsuspecting members of the public, the verifiable record of representation within the E4 Federal Constituency clearly shows that Ejigbo Local Government has enjoyed a significant and equitable share of political opportunities.

For the records, Ejigbo Local Government has enjoyed considerable political representation and patronage since the advent of this democratic dispensation in 1999. The local government has produced, aside a Senator of the Federal Republic, representatives elected into the National Assembly on two separate occasions.

Since 1999, the House of Representatives seat has moved across the constituency: Isiaq A. Aliyu (Ede North, 1999–2003), Ayinde Gbadebo Muftau (Ede South, 2003–2007), Falade Ajibade Michael (Ejigbo, 2007–2011), Ajagbe Adetunji Tajudeen (Ede North, 2011–2015), Prof. Mojeed Alabi (Ejigbo, 2015–2019), and Bamidele Salam (Egbedore, 2019–present). This sequence reflects a pattern of inclusion and balance, in which Ejigbo has not only participated but has indeed benefited on multiple occasions.

Beyond the National Assembly, Ejigbo’s footprint in the broader political architecture of Osun State further proves its strong presence over the years. The Local Government has produced two Speakers of the Osun State House of Assembly -Rt. Hon. Prof. Mojeed Alabi (1999–2003) and Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salam (2011–2019), amounting to a cumulative 12 years in that strategic position.

Additionally, Ejigbo produced a Senator of the Federal Republic, Senator Mudashiru Hussein (2011–2015). These, alongside other notable appointments, firmly dispel any narrative of marginalization and instead affirm Ejigbo as a well-represented and integral stakeholder within the constituency’s political evolution.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria’s complex parliamentary system, ranking members like Rep. Salam—who chairs the House Committee on Public Accounts and serves in the ECOWAS Parliament—wield greater influence to secure federal allocations and oversee accountability. A re-election would elevate his seniority, enabling deeper committee leadership, more robust advocacy for constituency projects, and accelerated development in education, health, infrastructure, and empowerment programs.

At this crucial stage of our constituency’s development trajectory, it is imperative to consolidate the gains already achieved. Re-electing Rep. Salam will not only ensure continuity but also elevate the constituency’s standing in national politics, thereby unlocking greater opportunities for development

Let us reiterate, E4 Development Advocates is not in opposition to ambition. What we oppose is the descent into crude, divisive, and outdated political tactics, where communities are pitched against one another, and facts are sacrificed on the altar of personal interest. We urge all aspirants to pursue their ambitions with dignity, integrity, and respect for the intelligence of our people.

Respected stakeholders of our great party and the larger electorate of this constituency are readily informed, experienced, and capable of making decisions based on truth, not propaganda. Therefore, we urge political actors and party leaders to prioritize competence, proven performance, and integrity in their selection processes, recognizing that the future of our constituency depends on the quality of leadership we entrust with public office. As members of the Accord Family, we remain committed to unity. We commend the leadership of the party for their ongoing efforts to maintain cohesion and stability in the face of emerging but needless tensions.

Finally, we call on all political actors to align with the broader vision of development and good governance being championed by His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State. This vision is one that prioritizes progress over politics, and people over propaganda. Rep. Bamidele Salam has, through his service, demonstrated full alignment with this vision, transforming representation from mere title to tangible impact. We must not allow divisive ambitions to derail the progress we have collectively achieved.

Thank you for your attention.

Signed:

Dr. Ogundeji Awoniyi
Coordinator