By Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair
For over two decades, one name has refused to leave the ballot and the heart of Offa politics – Prince Saheed Olamilekan Popoola. His opponents call him controversial. His supporters call him courageous. But the result is the same: he wins.
Why? Because Popoola is not just an Offa man by name, he is Offa by character and by location.
While others live in Ilorin or Lagos and visit Offa for politics, Popoola lives in Offa, eats in Offa, sleeps in Offa, attends burials, naming ceremonies, and prayers in Offa. His house is open. He is accessible at 6am and 10pm. Offa people know his children. He knows their children. You cannot dominate Offa from diaspora. Popoola never left.
To understand Popoola, you must understand Offa. Offa people are Omo Olalomi Nla – Warriors: They do not fear confrontation. When cheated, they fight. Popoola went to court against Saraki system when denied second term as Chairman. That is pure Offa warrior spirit. They are Traders – Honest in bargain: Offa man hates cheating in market. Popoola says “I hate cheating.” That is why he fell out with AbdulRazaq over the Speaker promise witnessed by President Tinubu and Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq. In Offa market, if you promise, you deliver. They are Frank and Outspoken (Olooto): Offa man says it as it is, no matter who is involved. That frankness is what Ilorin calls controversial. They are Loyal but Principled: Offa people can follow you for 20 years, but betray them once, they leave. Popoola dominates Offa because he IS Offa.
He has never lost an election in Offa. He won as Offa Local Government Chairman. When denied second term, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened and he was compensated as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development under Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed. He won as Member, Kwara State House of Assembly, Offa Constituency, and won second term – becoming the ONLY two-term legislator under Speaker Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi. In 2023, he was coasting to House of Reps ticket (Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun) but voluntarily stepped down for Sen. Lola Ashiru to balance Ibolo/Igbomina interest. Even the pictures from yesterday in Offa tell the story – while others visited, Popoola’s presence was already towering in the background, a quiet reminder of who owns the street.
By unveiling Chief Gbenga Awoyale from Arandun as Campaign Partner and Strategist – same hometown as his APC opponent Prince Lekan Adewoye – Popoola has neutralized the Igbomina sympathy that Adewoye banks on. Awoyale is generous, energetic, with strong grassroots mobilisation and strategic depth. Adewoye is a successful industrialist – Chairman of Sunsteel Industries, respected at MAN, with philanthropy of 3,000 JAMB forms and 100 scholarships. He represents boardroom success. Popoola represents street success, legislative mastery, and executive engagement.
Popoola does not dominate Offa because he has the most money. He dominates because he lives with his people, sleeps with his people, and behaves like his people. They may call him controversial in Ilorin Government House. In Offa, they call him IFOKANBALE – the man whose heart is unshaken, a true son of Olalomi Nla.
Offa votes are not for sale, Offa votes are for their son who never left them.
Early Bird
Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair
Disclaimer: This is an independent political analysis by Early Bird, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, based on verifiable public records and lived experience in Offa politics.