My attention has been drawn to the poorly crafted press statement issued by Gbadebo Abidoye, Public Relations Adviser to the Kwara South APC Youth Assembly, attacking Chief Gbenga Awoyale over his sincere position on the development of Arandun community.
Ordinarily, I would not dignify such a statement with a response, but as Youth Leader of Arandun Ward, I owe my people the duty to set the record straight when history is being twisted and an illustrious son of Igbomina land is being maligned.
It is laughable that those who should be selling their candidate’s credentials have abandoned issue-based campaigning for personal attacks. This resort to name-calling and character assassination only confirms that the heat is being felt in their camp, and they are uncomfortable with legitimate questions about their candidate’s contributions to Arandun, his immediate community.
For the avoidance of doubt, let history be properly stated: When many people had little or no knowledge of Prince Lekan Adewoye, it was the Orisun Igbomina platform, convened by Chief Gbenga Awoyale, that provided the platform to publicise, project and broadcast his name to a wider audience.
It is therefore highly ironic and disappointing that the same platform that contributed immensely to his political visibility is now being treated with disdain simply because its convener raised legitimate concerns affecting his own people.
Chief Awoyale did not become relevant because of Adewoye, and his relevance cannot be erased by a politically motivated press statement. His years of engagement, his contributions to public discourse, and his commitment to the interests of Igbomina people and Arandun in particular, speak for themselves.
The attempt to divert attention with a catalogue of alleged donations does not answer the fundamental question raised by Chief Awoyale. If Arandun has experienced prolonged blackout, we the youths and people of Arandun deserve clear answers, not insults directed at anyone who dares to raise the issue.
We acknowledge the interventions listed in their statement — financial donations, educational support and road-related projects. If verifiable, they can form part of his record. However, listing past interventions does not automatically invalidate legitimate concerns about outstanding community needs. Development is not a favour to be weaponised against critics; it is a responsibility that must remain open to public scrutiny.
Furthermore, the grave allegation that Chief Awoyale misappropriated funds meant for a transformer is condemnable. As Youth Leader of Arandun Ward, I demand that such weighty allegations be supported with verifiable evidence and not presented as facts in a political rebuttal. If the authors possess credible evidence, they should approach the appropriate authorities instead of resorting to character assassination.
The people of Arandun and Kwara South deserve a campaign centred on issues, performance, accountability and a clear vision for the future. We do not need endless exchanges of insults.
We understand that the heat is being felt, but attacking Chief Gbenga Awoyale will not win anyone an election. If Prince Lekan Adewoye and his supporters are confident in their popularity and acceptance, they should allow their campaign and antecedents to speak for itself.
Chief Awoyale will not be intimidated by personal attacks, nor will he abandon his right to speak on matters affecting his people because some political actors find his position inconvenient. I, Ibuoye Emmanuel Abiodun, stand firmly with Chief Awoyale on this.
We advise the Kwara South APC Youth Assembly to redirect their energy towards issue-based campaigning. As we progress in this political season, individual contributions to the community will be discussed with facts and figures. For the record, Prince Lekan Adewoye and I are from the same compound in Arandun.
Let the campaign speak. Let the people decide.
Signed:
Comr. Ibuoye Emmanuel Abiodun
Youth Leader, Arandun Ward, Irepodun LGA
PDP, Kwara State
