The import of any Politician or Representative, either elected or appointed is to have impact being felt by the people. Therefore, a good politician should be a homegrown person who knows where shoe pinches the people in his or her Constituency, and readily available to be a problem-solver, and not one who complicates problem for people.
In Nigeria, it is not uncommon for some people with no track-records and unfamiliar to the people at home contesting and winning elections, majorly because of their financial strength or support from power that be in politics, not minding the rules or otherwise, but after winning the election, what next?
Such a person may not be physically seeing again in the Community or Constituency till another four years that he will want to seek their votes for re-election. Unfortunately, the best that most of those category of politicians could do for their people in four years could be drilling of one or two boreholes or nothing, giving out clippers, hand-dryers and the likes to people as tools of empowerment.
On the other hand, there are some politicians who live in the midst of their people, eat with them, drink with them, happy with them and also even grief with them incase, selfless, and one who put other people’s first, in fact, they are rooted and grounded in their Constituency. Such Politician will put interest of others far above his personal interest. He knows every major family or compound names in the Community or Constituency because of his closeness to the people. He knows the need of his constituents and knows how to tackle any challenges confronting them. He will never give them what he has but provide what they need. As a homegrown politician, he would not be happy if not in the midst of his people for hours, let alone of leaving them for weeks, months or years with little or nothing to show.
Surprisingly, One of the Politicians that I know that stands out, changing the narrative with different mindset due to his attachment to his people at home(Constituency) is an Oyo-born Lawmaker representing Atiba State Constituency and Chief Whip of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbenga Joseph Oyekola, who is affectionately known among his people as “Ènìyàn Láṣọ Mi”
Hon Oyekola and Oyo Alaafin Town are like siamese twins, as everything about him is Home first and Others first.
Despite being a Lawmaker from Oyo Zone but have to be in Ibadan the seat of Government for his legislative duties, this grassroots politician would regularly attend sittings of the House of Assembly with impactful contributions to the course of his Atiba Constituency, Oyo Town and the State in general, and will still join his people back home in Oyo. Truly, Ènìyàn Láṣọ Hon. Gbenga Oyekola.
The ranking legislator in Oyo State House of Assembly has made many significant impacts on the socio-economic, socio-political and socio cultural landscapes of Oyo town, the State and even Nigeria through his robust contributions on the floor of the House with a view to achieving meaningful development.
Hon. Gbenga Oyekola was elected as the Executive Chairman, Atiba Local Government, Oyo between 1999 and 2002, He was the Special Adviser to former Oyo State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. Former Chairman, Oyo State Board of Agricultural Credit Corporation, Member, Oyo State 8th House of Assembly 2015 to 2019, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Economic Planning in 2021 and reelected in 2023 as the Lawmaker representing Atiba State Constituency in the present 10th Assembly.
In all the Offices that Hon Gbenga Oyekola has held, he made profound impact on both human capital and socio-economic development of the State, and his achievements are still speaking for him till date.
As a politician, he has never for once left his people unattended to, either while in government or out of government. Unlike many others who would detach or disconnect themselves from the people because their Political Party is not in government. They will turn everybody around to political enemies, but for Hon Oyekola, he never created even an inch gap away from his Constituents when he was not in government, rather, he was busy looking for ways of contributing more to their development and responding to their needs in his little way.
His campaigns and activities have always been focusing on youth and women empowerments, people oriented programmes for all sorts of category and development of the society at large for all to feel the positive impact of government in their lives. He believes strongly in all-inclusive programmes that will benefit people irrespective of political and religious affiliations.
Hon. Oyekola’s efforts towards supporting anything Oyo are being recognised and acknowledged by his people as he would not keep quiet in the course of fighting for justice and the rights of his people, even in the face of challenges. He is a lawmaker that always contributes meaningfully to bills or moves motions that are of Public interests. He would stand against any anti-masses issues, even if he will be the only man standing, he would not mind to, but keep standing with the people.
His stance on the recent debate on Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (further amendment) Bill 2025 was a clear position of his belief in personal convinction of respecting historical matters. He firmly made it known that the position of Alaafin as Permanent Chairman of the Council should remain, but when it was becoming unrealistic, rather than sitting where such decision of rotational Chairmanship position would be taken, the lover of Oyo Alaafin left, along with his other Colleague from Oyo Zone, Hon. Cephas Olorunpoto. This simply shows the value and respect he has for his people at home and the revered stool of Alaafin of Oyo.
Despite losing the House of Assembly seat during 2019 elections, the contented Hon Oyekola’s believe of not seeing politics as do or die affairs was notable and he demonstrated that through his further dedication and renewed commitment to his constituents and Oyo town in general.
As a friend of all, a philanthropist, a cheerful giver, a cultural promoter, a respecter of all, irrespective of their status, *Ènìyàn Láṣọ Mi” has contributed and still contributing significantly to education, agriculture, health, culture and tourism sectors, socio-economic development, personal growth of his people, either close or distance, and donating resources to support development projects in the Communities.
Without being immodest, the unwavering commitment of Hon Gbenga Oyekola to youth empowerment, grassroots development and cheerful relationship with others, particularly the ones perceived by some *arrogant politicians” as less important in the Society, has inspired as well as motivated younger generation of leaders to be following his footsteps, thereby, describing him as a true man of the people.
With this kind of Politician, it is expected of the people in Oyo Zone to keep supporting him in his quest of further making the Zone a force to reckon with in the political calculations of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
He remains committed to listening to and understanding the voice of the people, rather than doing everything on his own. This trait has earned him an untainted reputation of a man of integrity.
It is my prayer that Hon. Gbenga Joseph Oyekola will continue to be relevant in the Society, contribute more, and live longer in good health, sound mind and be there for people whenever they call on him.
No doubt, the nickname “Ènìyàn Láṣọ Mi” that he is being called and known for in the entire Oyo town is not a fluke. The name fits him, matches his act and reflects who he is.
This is a clarion call on other politicians to emulate the His closeness to the people who elected them into office.