By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Olalekan Adeleye, has said public office holders in a democratic system must place service to the people above political party considerations.
Adeleye, who represents Odogbolu State Constituency, stated this while featuring on Eagle FM 102.5 Ilese-Ijebu’s Yoruba political programme _Oselu Awarawa_. He told listeners that the expectations of Nigerians today require leaders to rise above partisan boundaries if governance is to meet the needs of citizens.
“The responsibility of a public holder under democracy is to raise the service to the electorates higher than the political party differences either APC or PDP,” he said.
Adeleye noted that Nigeria’s status as a developing nation has compelled lawmakers to assume additional responsibilities beyond their constitutionally assigned role of making laws. According to him, the demand for basic amenities has pushed elected representatives to step into areas ordinarily under the control of the executive arm of government.
“The situation of Nigeria as a developing nation has forced the lawmaker to add functions of the executives, which is to handle the infrastructures, to their lawful duty of making laws,” he explained.
The lawmaker called for stronger cooperation among political actors in Odogbolu Local Government Area. He appealed particularly for harmony between himself, the local government chairman and other officials, stressing that such alignment is essential for development.
“We need a wholesome relationship between all of us in Odogbolu for the betterment of the masses,” he said.
Adeleye commended the administration of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for completed and commissioned projects across Ogun State. He urged the state government to accelerate its energy drive, especially plans for state-led power generation and distribution. “There is need to speed up the work on how the state will be generating, transmitting and distributing power from the state-owned plant,” he said.
Speaking on developments in his constituency, Adeleye said not fewer than 28 transformers had been distributed to communities such as Ajaka and Ibefun. He attributed the intervention to what he described as the philanthropic gesture of the 2023 PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.
He said, “The distribution of not less than 28 new transformers to some areas and towns like Ajaka, Ibefun and other places which has enlarged our constituency projects in Odogbolu is due to the philanthropic attitudes of the PDP governorship flag bearer during the 2023 elections, Ladi Adebutu.”
On the internal situation within the Peoples Democratic Party, the Minority Leader maintained that the party’s national convention will hold in Ibadan. He said the party is guided by its constitution on matters relating to conflict resolution and emphasised that court orders, once issued, must be obeyed.
“It is clear in the constitution that any internal rancour of any political parties should not be settled by the court,” he said. “An order is an order from the same court either federal or state. The Oyo State High Court judgment which nodded for the convention to hold has countered the earlier judgment from the Federal High Court Abuja and has given those who are under such order the choice to pick their preferences.”
Adeleye, who is serving in the 10th Assembly, currently leads the minority caucus and has held previous roles in legislative and administrative capacities. He said the focus going forward is to ensure that Odogbolu people feel the impact of governance regardless of political affiliation.
He added that his priority remains to “serve the people first,” insisting that development must not be slowed by political differences.
