Kunle Adelabu
-Warns Oshodi against unverified assertion
Residents of Ikorodu Federal Constituency have widely attest to the impactful performance of their beloved and performing federal representative, Rep Babajimi Benson, in a swift response to a disturbing call by a popular social media influencer , Mr Abisoye Oshodi, and not waiting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to constitute a panel or get intelligence report on the performance of the three term lawmaker, regarding his efforts in bringing the dividends of democracy and facilitating impactful projects and programmes to the grassroots people.
Their responses were in reactions to the influencer’s assertion that some elected and appointed federal political office holders who are close to the President, are not supporting his efforts in relieving citizens of economic hardship caused by his administration’s policies.
Oshodi had, in a viral video, called out some of these political office holders and President’s aides, including Rep Babajimi Benson, the Ikorodu Federal Constituency representative who is also the Chairman, House of Representatives’ Defense Committee.
Responding to the viral video, the immediate past Councilor representing Agbala Ward and the former Deputy Council Leader, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adeniran ‘Wake-Up’ Adeyimi, acknowledged Oshodi’s assertion on the challenging state of economy and its negative effects on the people.
While acknowledging that Oshodi was right to some extent on the state of the economy and failure of some people to support President Tinubu’s efforts, Niran said that the social media influencer got it all wrong on his assertions on Rep. Benson.
He cautioned the public analyst against speaking on issues that he does not have facts about.
“Some of us that have been following you believed that you are an intellectual, hence, I believe that before you reel out statements, you should have your facts in fairness to yourself. To have mentioned, averred and stated that Ikorodu’s top son; that Ikorodu’s golden and that Hon. Babajimi Benson is not doing enough, especially at the grassroots, is grossly unfair.
“You don’t seem to have any idea of the happenings in Ikorodu or what Hon. Benson is doing at all. This act of yours corroborated the Yoruba sayings that, “There is no way a dog can be loyal to safeguard two houses”.
“I don’t know your local government but I was born and raised in Ikorodu. I was born by a very strong politician in Ikorodu. We saw how politics was been played in the past, and we know what it is today. Because I am also a politician, I am abreast of the happenings in Ikorodu. We have witnessed the changes over the time”, Adeyemi said.
He asserted that good research would have availed Oshodi the quality of Rep. Benson’s representation in Ikorodu, and emphasised that the speaker should endeavour to embark on thorough investigation on the performances of the three – term lawmaker and report back his findings to save his own integrity.
“The responsiveness of Hon. Babajimi Benson is First Class, and I think that it is fair of you sir, to do proper research on what Hon. Benson has been doing. That is the only way to know what he has facilitated for his people and do for us in Ikorodu to the extent of giving regular stomach infrastructure (food palliatives). He does that on a monthly basis through his foundation – iCare
“He just distributed food items for this month last Saturday. So, I don’t know where you are getting your facts from.
“Sir, I think what it is right for you sir, so that you don’t lose your integrity because some of us can see the truth in your analysis of issues, is that you need to conduct fair and objective research and let us know what you eventually find out about Hon. Benson’s representation in Ikorodu”, Adeyemi challenged Oshodi.
Meanwhile, residents of Ikorodu, in their hundreds on THE IMPACT platform and across various social media, have commended the response of Niran Adeyemi via a video which has also gone viral. They equally affirmed the quality representation of Rep. Benson in terms of roads, schools,, hospitals and other infrastructural developments as well as other projects and initiatives that he has been facilitating and implementing in Ikorodu division.
A former Chairmanship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Yinka Majekodunmi, in his own reaction, said that the lawmaker has constructed more roads in Ikorodu than many local government chairmen and state governors have done across the country.
“HON. BABAJIMI ADEGOKE BENSON, MHR, the lawmaker that has facilitated and constructed more roads in Ikorodu Division than many local Government Chairmen and Governors in the country …..
“@ Bisoye Oshodi, verified your information before referencing some public office holders”.
Otunba Afolabi Babatunde, a senior local government staff and community leader, also responding, faulted Oshodi. While stating areas that the lawmaker has impacted Ikorodu, he also challenged Oshodi on the need to do a thorough investigation and make his findings public.
“This man has goofed by mentioning JB who has been so over performing in terms of infrastructure, social inclusion, improvement of widows , security etc.
“So available, responsive, prompt in attending to issues of great importance to the masses.
“Just like Niran Wake UP Adeyemi said, go ahead to conduct your independent research on the golden Hon Babajimi Benson, to remove your veil of deliberate ignorance or mischief”, Otunba Afolabi said.
A social media commentator, Mr Disu Hakeem Oladimeji Adegboyega, in his own reactions, said:
“Abisoye Oshodi, you can be trash talking your people in Lagos Island and TINUBU … U can be trash talking other politicians, if it comes to our golden son, OUR JULIUS BERGER PER EXCELLENCE IN IKORODU…. Don’t go there at all.
“U MAY BE RIGHT ABOUT OTHER POLITICIANS BUT FOR OUR Babajimi Benson , you are wrong in totality.
“I don’t know if some unscrupulous and disgruntled politicians that are aiming for his position are sponsoring you or you yourself are under the influence of …..
“I am not a politician, neither am I interested in joining APC or PDP, but, IF IT’S COMES TO PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA AS PER FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE, Hon Benson Babajimi Adegoke IS NUMBER 1. Go and do your research well boy”.
Another commentator, Ibrahim Saka, described Rep. Benson as God’s sent for Ikorodu.
“His assertions on JB are grossly incorrect. Many people in Ikorodu see JB as God’s sent in terms of infrastructural development, particularly on roads. His interventional incursions in this area through facilitation, have never been seen in Ikorodu as far as I know since 2nd Republic of Baba Kekere LKJ of blessed memory. Let him do his research and state the truth”.
Femi Olasehinde, also commending Adeniran Adeyemi’s response to Oshodi, described Rep. Benson as an epitome of excellence and the only reason that he has been voting in elections.
“Well said. Hon. Babajimi Benson is an epitome of excellence. That is undisputable. Anywhere I see him on the ballot, I will always give him my vote regardless of the party he runs from. He is indeed a God sent to the people of Ikorodu.”
Also appreciating Adeyemi for his response to Oshodi, Titilayo Alogba, also affirmed the quality representation by Rep. Benson.
“Wake up Niran, I appreciate you for your observation on what our very own Jimi Benson has been doing in Ikorodu and still doing. Ikorodu roads are all being well cared for by Jimi Benson.
“I will advise JB to keep up doing his good work 100%. That man is always talking rubbish all the time….. Maybe someone is using him. Niran thank you for speaking up for Ikorodu”.
The social media influencer, Abisoye Oshodi, had, in a viral video called out President Bola Tinubu, to turn around the economy and give people relief from the economic hardship of his government’s policies. He also asked the President on the need not to disappoint those of them supporting him.
He particularly asked him to monitor the activities of state governors, council chairmen and other elected representatives.
While commending the Governor of Lagos State for impacts on the state, Oshodi asserted that those that were elected into National Assembly or given national appointments are not given back at all to the grassroots, especially in the state, emphasizing that the responsibilities to take care of the people fell heavily on him and a few others whom people in the grassroots usually run to.
He alleged that Akeem Muri Okunola, the Principal Secretary to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Olumide Oshodi, James Faleke, Jimi Benson and Prince Akiolu and others close to the President are not bringing back anything for the people of Lagos State, despite being close to the Villa.
He, however, commended Sen. Tokunb Abiru and Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun for their efforts in bringing back the dividends of democracy to the grassroots in Lagos State.
