The Member representing Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Federal Constituency, Honourable Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem, has been urged to avoid duplicating efforts on the move for the Establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Oke Ogun Area of Oyo State.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oorelope Local Government, Dr Peter Amao, gave the advice on Monday, noting that Hon Kareem’s sponsorship of a Bill for the Establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Saki amounted to a disservice to Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency, which is close to achieving same feat.
Dr Amao pointed out how Hon. Olumide Ojerinde, a Member of the 9th House of Representatives, had sponsored the Bill for the establishment of the FMC in Igboho and how joint efforts from Rep Olaide Mohammed (POLAM) and Senator Fatai Buhari have culminated into the Bill only awaiting presidential assent.
He wondered why Hon Kareem, popularly known as Were, who is making consultations to represent Oyo North Senatorial District, which includes Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency, would sponsor a similar bill instead of channeling efforts to other sectors and opportunities.
Dr Amao said: “Dear Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Were, I appreciate your interest in addressing the healthcare challenges within your constituency.
“However, as a true son of Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal constituency and a card-carrying member of the APC, I must respectfully express concern over your intention to redirect the Federal Medical Centre to Saki.
“The Bill was originally sponsored by Hon. Olumide Ojerinde in the 9th National Assembly and it got to the last stage of awaiting presidential assent.
“The bill was reintroduced in the 10th National Assembly with the support of Hon Olaide Mohammed and Senator Fatai Buhari. In the spirit of love, unity, and fairness, it would have been better for Hon Abisodun Kareem to support the effort of the initibeens of the bill.
“That facility was to serve humanity and to address the critical lack of healthcare facilities in that constituency and to be situated in Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency.
“This bill was conceived based on extensive health needs assessments, stakeholder consultations, and longstanding community advocacy in Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency. The objective was never to exclude neighbouring constituencies but to address a critical healthcare gap that has persisted for years and anyone who knows Saki Federal Constituency can attest to the presence of many healthcare facilities including a Government-owned Specialist Hospital, a Baptist Hospital and a Muslim Hospital.
“If Hon Kareem truly loves our federal constituency, he should support the efforts of other distinguish honourables rather than hijacking what was proposed for our constituency.
“One wonders how the lawmaker wants to campaign in the constituency when he intends to hijack what is supposed to be theirs.
“There are many things and bills he can sponsor and facilitate to Saki instead of sponsoring a bill on the establishment of FMC, which is originally meant to give our federal constituency the first Federal Government presence towards alleviating poverty and ensuring sustainable development.
“While I fully support equitable development across all regions, it is important that we honour due legislative processes and avoid setting precedents where local initiatives are overridden without proper dialogue.
“I believe we can work together to ensure all constituencies benefit appropriately — either through cooperative regional planning or by jointly advocating for additional healthcare projects that serve our broader communities.
“I urge Hon Kareem and other lawmakers to always exchange ideas and find ways of collaborating for the development of all constituencies in Oke Ogun rather than seeking one-upmanship and needless competitions.
“I also want to implore our traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, stakeholders across Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope to reject any aspirant that has worked against or is working against the development of our federal constituency, as it will be a slap on us to embrace such candidate now or in future elections.
“While we must remain open to dialogue and collaboration, I hope we can find a constructive path forward that respects the spirit and integrity of the original bill while also acknowledging the needs of neighbouring areas.
“This is also a call for all Oke ogun representatives to always collaborate to achieve things together rather than redirecting the bill sponsored by another honourable.”
