Kunle Adelabu
Residents of Ikorodu have, in unison, rose against the criticisms of the empowerment gesture of Rep. Babajimi Benson, the representative of Ikorodu federal constituency by Prince Kehinde Gbadewonu Oyefusi, the candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Ikorodu Constituency I seat in Lagos State House of Assembly, in the forthcoming general elections.
Prince Oyefusi had, on Thursday, criticised the Renewed Hope Mega Empowerment of the representative of the Ikorodu federal constituency, as a “distraction” and “handouts”, in a statement sent to THE IMPACT.
Rep . Benson had, on Tuesday, supported 800 residents with 0ver N200 million as business grants to boost and grow their businesses with 700 business owners gotten ₦250, 000 each, and 100 receiving ₦500 000 each.
Also, 22 items were distributed to hundreds of residents, including Transformer (10 communities); Security Patrol Vans ( 5 Divisional Police Stations); Brand New Buses (7 religious and other groups); Cars (10); Brand New Mini Bus (20); Mini Bus (21); Bike (20) Electric Bike 10; Household Solar (1400); Freezer Small (50); Freezer Medium (150); Generator (20); Vulcanizing Machine (20); Welding Generator (20); Grinding Machine (20); Sewing machine (100); Industrial Sewing machine (20); Gas Cylinder 3kg (250); Gas Cylinder 6kg (450); Gas Cylinder – 12.5kg (100); HP Laptops (100) and Keke NAPEP (40)
The ADC candidate, Prince Oyefusi raising issue on the empowerment, queried the sustainability, transparency and the genuiness of the initiative.
”The excitement surrounding the Renewed Hope Mega Empowerment programme facilitated by Rep. Babajimi Benson, should not end the public conversation; it should begin one. Every politically conscious citizen of Ikorodu is entitled to ask whether this is a genuine, sustainable investment in the people or a short-term distribution designed to generate political goodwill ahead of the 2027 general elections.
”The issue is not whether beneficiaries should receive support. The issue is whether the programme is transparent, properly funded, fairly administered, and capable of producing lasting economic benefits”.
The opposition candidate added: “Several basic questions, therefore, require clear answers: Where is the money coming from? Who approved it? Is it public money, constituency funding, donor support, or a combination of sources? Who are the beneficiaries, and what criteria were used to select them? How many people were targeted, what was the total cost, and what mechanisms exist to monitor the distribution and assess its results?”, he asked.
However, within a short time that his publication was published on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform, concerned residents rose in support of the three – term lawmaker whom they said adopted a transparent approach to the distributions and has been delivering quality and responsible representation to his people.
Mr Bayode Treasures Olawunmi, a social commentator and promoter of reading culture, urged Oyefusi to always verified information before releasing such to the public, stressing that the process adopted in distributing the empowerment items was not partisan.
”Criticism should be based on accurate information. If indeed you intended to know, you should have asked the appropriate quarters.
”iCare is an organization that doesn’t favour only the party faithfuls. I can tell you for free, 50% of the beneficiaries of this empowerment are not APC members. In fact, if your party members are honest, we can name about 3 or 4 of them who were beneficiaries too.
He added: “Both the Yorubas, Igbos and Hausas benefitted. Both politicians and ordinary people in Ikorodu benefitted. Both able bodies and those with challenges benefitted too.
”If I may ask sir, the transformers that were given to communities and CDAs, se na only APC members go use the light e go power?
”You should have thought through this before rushing to the press”, he said.
Oluwadiaspora, a social commentator, also condemned Prince Oyefusi’s position and emphasised that the greatest beneficiaries of the empowerment gesture were ordinary people.
”So, sir @Prince Kenny Oyefusi, is that what you want us to leave behind while the only thing we know about you is that you are an aspirant with a recognized name?
”You have to do better sir”.
He also added: “You cannot call it an “handout” sir, and say that’s criticism sir.
”You cannot also acknowledge the fact that ordinary people, including the ones on this group and others that myself is an admin, got it and still ask if “ordinary people got it.
”I was there and saw the joy on the faces of the people”.
He further stated: “One of those that benefitted sent the picture of the brand new laptop he got some hours ago and you can tell the happiness in her voice.
”That’s not an handout, that’s doing what he was elected to do; putting smile on the faces of the constituents”.
While admitting that he goffed in referring to Prince Oyefusi as an House of Representative candidate, Oluwadiasporas stressed that his mistake is as a result of unpopularity of the ADC candidate and his party.
”…..goes a long way to show how much job you guys still need to do cos if someone like me cannot state clearly who is contesting for what, where or when, then it shows not much work has been done.
”I agree with what you’ve said about JB, and have no reservations to it. However, while criticisms are allowed in a democracy, the right sets of words are also appropriate.
”I wish you all the best in your aspirations sir”.
Another social commentator and community developer, Elder Monday Ohi Ibadan, also stressed on the transparency nature of the distributions.
”The honest truth is that the selection was transparent, accountable and verifiable because it was technologically, digitally and interractively deployed through múltiple channels to the Ikorodu Federal Constituents.
”I can relate to your concern to be legitimate because most of the constituents are APC compliant but l am also in the know of SOME who are in opposition parties like you who also benefitted from the largesse of the MEGA EMPOWERMENT.
”You know what my expectation from the opposition is that also surpass the standard record already set rather than rabble rousing to gaslight or scrutinize a very highly organized, impactful and recording BREAKING event”.
Canada -based Ikorodu stakeholder, Mr Ibrahim Alani Onibudo, also contributing, stated that 13 residents from his team benefitted from the gesture.
”I might not be able to say much about every beneficiary. But in strict reference to the 13 beneficiaries in my team, I can say that the Mega Empowerment program of @Rep JB (still on-going as I type this) is a huge success.
Stating the impacts of the items on the beneficiaries, Onibudo explained:
”I will break this down. So, please do not get tired of reading my string of clinical responses to your epistle.
”The only 1 big deep freezer in the lot of items went to an elderly widow (Mummy IKD) who is the oldest female Arsenal fan that I know. Who is also a frequent caller to Radio IKD 106.1 FM.
”Mummy IKD has requested for a freezer from my team, a few weeks before this empowerment program. So, it was easy for our 21-man stakeholders to assign the freezer to her. According to her, she will be selling drinks (water and beverages). My team will be supporting her to start up this business.
”Please, listen to her VN that she sent in on Tuesday night below (note the VN was sent to THE IMPACT platform).
Odeyemi Qudus, a youth leader and social commentator, in his own contributions, also emphasized the sincerity and the non – partisan nature of Rep. Benson’s programmes over the years.
”All the Empowerment programmes that have been done by Hon. Babajimi Benson, did not focus on APC members in Ikorodu but he used them to get across to every indigene and resident of Ikorodu division, because he want everyone in Ikorodu division to benefited from the dividends of democracy.
”Because he want it to touch down, that was the reason he gave all the admins of each WhatsApp platforms, Household solar fans and Laptops to share to their members, and each admin made the selection open..
He continued,, “Hon. Babajimi Benson is a good representative that is representing us well.
”We are blessed to have such a good representative”.
Meanwhile, after the public condemnation of his criticisms of Rep. Benson’s gesture to the constituents, Prince Oyefusi had stated that he only criticized and not condemned the federal lawmaker ‘s empowerment program which is a normal thing in a democracy.
”I appreciate your perspective, and I acknowledge that the empowerment may have benefited people beyond APC members. However, let us call a spade a spade: my choice of words does not invalidate the legitimate questions I raised about public accountability, fairness, and sustainable development.
”If the programme was transparent and inclusive, that is commendable. But no public initiative should be beyond scrutiny simply because it has benefited some people”.
He added: “My concern is not about destroying anyone’s reputation; it is about ensuring that governance serves the wider population, not just a selected few. We may disagree on the wording, but the questions deserve answers, not assumptions about my intentions”.
Meanwhile, there have been massive commendations and acknowledgement of the 2026 empowerment initiative of Rep. Babajimi Benson, from across the Ikorodu federal constituency and beyond.
