By Wale Bodija
When Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle (DON) emerged victorious in the August 2025 bye-election following the demise of his predecessor, many expected his relatively short time in office to limit what he could achieve. Instead, he has turned that assumption on its head.
At a time when the National Assembly is constrained by delayed implementation of constituency budgets and limited fiscal space, many lawmakers have struggled to deliver projects to their constituents. Yet, Hon. Oyekunle has refused to allow these realities—or the fact that he came into office midway through the legislative term—to define his representation.
Rather than offering excuses, he has chosen action. From sponsoring bills for the establishment of a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery and a Federal Skills Acquisition Centre in Ibadan North, to facilitating jobs, healthcare, food palliatives, solar-powered boreholes, streetlights and community support initiatives, his representation has remained visible and impactful.
Beyond infrastructure, he has prioritised people. For the first time in the constituency’s history, over 50 legislative aides underwent a structured capacity-building programme, reflecting his belief that effective representation begins with a competent and service-driven team.
More importantly, Hon. Oyekunle has fostered a genuine sense of belonging. His leadership has made constituents feel included, heard and connected to their representative, proving that representation should never be reserved for a select few.
This is what sets him apart. He understands that public office is not merely about occupying a seat in the National Assembly; it is about ensuring that the people feel the value of the mandate they entrusted to you.
As Nigerians, we must also appreciate the realities of governance. Not every delayed constituency project is the fault of lawmakers. Many are tied to funding constraints and delayed implementation by the executive. The true measure of a representative, therefore, is how much impact they create despite those limitations.
Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle (DON) has demonstrated that effective representation is not determined by the length of time spent in office, but by vision, innovation and commitment to the people. In less than a year, he has set a standard that many long-serving legislators would do well to emulate.
Wale Bodija is the media aide to Honourable Folajinmi Oyekunle.
