Ogun East Urged to Retain Ranking Senator for Continued Development

Stakeholders in Ogun East Senatorial District have raised concerns over what they described as moves capable of hindering the district’s development, stressing the importance of retaining experienced and ranking lawmakers in the National Assembly.

According to the position expressed, ranking members of the National Assembly often enjoy greater influence and opportunities to attract federal projects and empowerment programmes to their constituencies.

The argument referenced past lawmakers who became more impactful during their second terms after gaining experience and strategic positions within the legislature. Late Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele Ijaiya was cited as an example, with claims that her influence and performance improved significantly during her second term when she attained ranking status and emerged as a principal officer.

Similarly, former House of Representatives member, Hon. Adekoya, was described as a strong legislator during his second term despite belonging to a minority party, owing to his ranking status and emergence as Deputy Minority Whip.

Supporters of the argument also pointed to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, noting that his previous experience in both the House of Representatives and the Senate positioned him to become one of the most influential lawmakers from Ogun State. His role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation was said to have enabled him to attract several development projects and empowerment initiatives.

In contrast, former Edo State Governor and ex-national chairman of the APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, was mentioned as an example of how even prominent politicians may wield limited influence in the Senate without ranking status or key leadership positions.

With Senator Yayi reportedly eyeing the Ogun State governorship seat, concerns have emerged over the possibility of Ogun East losing access to federal opportunities if experienced lawmakers are replaced with first-time legislators.

The position maintained that Ogun State would still require ranking senators capable of complementing the efforts of a future governor by attracting federal support and development projects to the state.

It further warned against allowing personal political ambitions to override the broader developmental interests of Ogun East, urging voters to break what was described as the “one-term jinx” by supporting the emergence of ranking lawmakers who could eventually become principal officers in the National Assembly.

The statement also argued that Governor Dapo Abiodun, if elected into the Senate, would have to begin afresh as a first-time senator, thereby limiting his immediate influence compared to ranking lawmakers already familiar with the workings of the National Assembly.