It has become an unfortunate tradition in Nigeria for elected officials to disconnect from the very people who entrusted them with their mandates. This disconnection often leads to a lack of accountability, as those in office no longer feel answerable to their constituents. They are rarely evaluated by the people whose hopes and votes brought them into power.
When Honourable Shina Oyedeji emerged victorious at the polls to represent Kajola, Iwajowa, Itesiwaju, and Iseyin Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, it was a moment of great excitement. For many, it was a beacon of renewed hope, the long-awaited “Messiah” had finally arrived. Despite a relatively quiet tenure as a commissioner in the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, your campaign, particularly the Okeho Lokan Agenda, won the hearts of many. It was not necessarily your track record, nor your perceived superiority over other candidates, but the shared belief that it was time for Okeho to have a voice in national governance that earned you widespread support, alongside, of course, the goodwill of Governor Seyi Makinde to some extent.
While your core responsibility in the National Assembly is to legislate and sponsor bills, your pre-election promises extended far beyond that. You made commitments that sparked genuine hope across the four local governments, raising expectations of transformative representation. However, two years in office, those hopes are fading into disillusionment.
Your presence in the legislative chamber has been underwhelming. Despite multiple sessions on critical matters affecting your constituency, including the debate over the bill to establish a Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in Okeho, you were notably absent. Not once, but twice. The silence was deafening—no passionate plea, no resounding “Yay!” to support a bill that directly affects the future of your people.
Even more concerning is the visible lack of capital projects across the constituency. What substantial project can we point at since your assumption of office? Nothing really substantial, it seems. The heavy reliance on “data boys” to spin narratives and offer excuses on your behalf is not the path to meaningful representation. These deflections only deepen the disappointment. In fact, it has earned you the title many now whisper: “The Silenced Honourable.”
Accessibility was a major promise during your campaign. But today, many constituents lament your unavailability. And when they do see you, it’s often met with evasive explanations what is now commonly referred to as “scoping.” Honourable, the people are tired of being scoped. They want results.
Your recent appearance on radio was, quite frankly, disappointing. What was touted as an interview came off more like a casual gist session. Instead of addressing pressing concerns or unveiling development plans, you spoke of familial ties and community affiliations. While these may have sentimental value, they are not substitutes for progress or performance.
Let’s be honest, expectations were high because your promises were lofty. And as the saying goes, “A promise is a debt.” The people are ready to collect on the political manifestoes you issued during your campaign. As the journey for your third year in office started few days ago, your performance should be reflecting significant achievements, not lingering excuses. First-timers like yourself in other constituencies are already leaving footprints of progress—roads built, schools rehabilitated and constructed from the scratch, youth empowered magnificently or was your own constituency project allowance not increased?. Why should your constituents expect less?
We understand the challenge of navigating federal bureaucracy as a newcomer. But inexperience is not an excuse. You are surrounded by colleagues from whom you can learn. If you cannot lead by experience, lead by association—lobby, collaborate, initiate. The voice of your people should echo through your work, not be lost in silence.
Your 26 listed achievements, while appreciated, pale in comparison to what others have accomplished within a similar time frame. Even Hon. Shina Peller, in his first year, demonstrated more visible impact. Now that you’re in the same party, we urge you to learn from him.
As the Vice Chairman of the Ecological Committee in the House of Representatives, the continued neglect of the Okeho–Iganna road is particularly inexcusable. This road has suffered for years, yet under your leadership, it has seen no tangible intervention as erosion is part of the crises your committee oversees. With your influence and connections, what exactly is holding back progress?
We are also aware of your reaction to the delibrate omission of your name and image from the front page of Okeho News during the celebration of FUNATO for their last historical publication. You claimed to have met with Prof. Segun Gbadegesin in the U.S. regarding the university. But actions speak louder than stories. When it was time to defend the bill on the floor, another lawmaker did the heavy lifting. You cannot lay claim to a glory you did not fight for, for people to see and hear. And as of now, you’ve not contributed a kobo toward the university project. If you are indeed planning something substantial, the time to act is now.
Hon. Oshine, with all the connections you’ve always claimed to have with top ranking think-tank within and outside the country and your close relationship with other lawmakers in the hallowed chamber and the high profile you always claim within oyo state, we believe raising 500 million naira for the university will not be a huge task for you. Federal polytechnic Ayede has received magnanimous donations from lawmaker representing the constituency the institution is located as his associates. We also believe, like you claimed you told Governor Seyi Makinde to site the LAUTECH Iseyin Campus along Okeho-Iseyin road, since he couldn’t site it in Okeho with your claimed tight connection with him, we believe you can talk with the Governor and his government as usual, to bankroll the university. I’m very sure, these will make your legacies immortal, that even the media platform that didn’t put your picture in the front page will use your only picture that time, even in years to come, to celebrate your magnificent donations and contributions to the university, they might name the university after you.
Dear Honourable Shina Oyedeji, this is not just a critique—it is a plea. A plea from those who believed in you, voted for you, and are still hoping for the best from you. Adopt the spirit of “Action” not just in name, like your counterpart in the state assembly, but in deed. Lobby, legislate, deliver. Let your work speak so loudly that no “data boy” will ever need to speak for you again.
The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. Your legacy is still being written, choose what the pages will say.
