Students and youths under the aegis of the Pelumi Olajengbesi Students and Youth Network have declared their support for the ambition of legal practitioner and philanthropist, Pelumi Olajengbesi, to represent the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives.


The group said the constituency needed a fresh approach to political representation, expressing concern over what it described as years of inadequate development and ineffective representation across key sectors.


Speaking on the group’s position, its Coordinating Director, Gbenga Olaleye, said the constituency had yet to experience the level of development and effective representation its people deserved, despite having benefited from representation at the National Assembly since 1999.


According to Olaleye, the constituency’s experience should prompt stakeholders to demand a different approach to representation.


> “Since 1999, our constituency has had representation, including one of the longest-serving members of the House, yet we have not seen the level of development and effective representation our people deserve, compared with other constituencies,” he said.



Olaleye described the situation in several sectors across the constituency as “moribund”, stressing the need for collective action to change the narrative and pursue a new direction for the area.


He said the network’s support for Olajengbesi was influenced by his engagement with students and young people, as well as what the group described as his capacity to bring a different approach to legislative representation.


“This is not just about one individual. It is about the future of Oriade and Obokun and the kind of representation we want. We are calling on all well-meaning individuals, community leaders, youths and stakeholders to see this support as a joint task,” Olaleye said.


Also speaking, the Director of Media and Publicity of the network, Segun Amure, said the group’s position was driven by its desire for purposeful representation and greater attention to the aspirations and concerns of young people across the constituency.

Amure said the endorsement was not merely about politics but about determining the kind of representation needed to address the developmental challenges facing the constituency.


> “For us, this is about more than politics. It is about asking ourselves what kind of representation Oriade and Obokun deserve at this critical point in our development. We believe our people deserve a representative who is accessible, responsive and willing to make their concerns a priority,” he said.




He urged young people and other stakeholders across Oriade and Obokun to participate actively in the political process and carefully assess aspirants based on their records, competence, character and vision.


Amure added that the network would continue engaging stakeholders and mobilising support for Olajengbesi’s ambition, while encouraging constructive discussions about the future of the constituency.


The group said its support remained open to all individuals who shared its desire for improved representation, development and opportunities for young people in Oriade and Obokun.


The Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency comprises Oriade and Obokun Local Government Areas of Osun State.