By Sheu Shittu Megida
Special Adviser to Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun on Media and Publicity
In every political journey, there comes a time when the people must look beyond sentiments, personal disagreements and political distractions to evaluate the character, experience, contributions and capacity of the person representing them. For us in the Old Ifedapo Federal Constituency, comprising Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo, this is the time to have a sincere conversation about our representative, Rt. Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun, popularly known as Funfunloogun.
Hon. Abisodun deserves the respect of the people of this constituency, not because he is beyond criticism, but because public service should be assessed fairly. No political office holder is perfect, and no responsible citizen should be prevented from asking questions about governance. However, there is a clear difference between constructive criticism aimed at improving representation and deliberate attacks driven by bitterness, personal grudges or political rivalry. We must learn to distinguish between the two.
BEYOND POLITICAL NOISE: LET THE RECORD SPEAK
One disturbing trend in our political environment is the growing habit of abusing public office holders without presenting verifiable facts to support the allegations. Some individuals wake up every day determined to discredit a politician, regardless of what that person has done, is doing or intends to do for the people. They mistake insults for political intelligence and believe that destroying another person’s reputation is the quickest route to promoting their preferred candidate.
To such individuals, I say this respectfully: politics should be a contest of ideas, records and capacity, not a competition in insults.
If Hon. Abisodun has failed in a particular area, identify it. If a constituency project is delayed, ask questions about its status. If a promise has not been fulfilled, demand accountability. These are legitimate responsibilities of citizens. But when criticism becomes a daily routine of personal attacks without facts, it loses its credibility and begins to look more like an agenda than a genuine concern for the people.
We cannot claim to desire development while encouraging a political culture that rewards noise over substance. We cannot demand responsible leadership from our representatives while refusing to demonstrate responsibility in our own political engagements.
Those who disagree with Hon. Abisodun have every right to promote their preferred candidates. That is democracy. But they must allow the people to make their decisions based on facts, informed judgment and the totality of each candidate’s record.
EXPERIENCE, REPRESENTATION AND CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT
Representation at the federal level requires more than popularity. It demands political experience, legislative understanding, access to relevant institutions, the ability to engage government agencies and the patience to pursue projects that may take time to materialise.
Hon. Abisodun’s experience in the National Assembly is an important consideration as the constituency looks towards the 2027 general election. His supporters believe that his legislative exposure, political relationships and understanding of the constituency’s needs position him to continue representing the people effectively.
His constituency record includes interventions relating to infrastructure, education, human capital development and community support. Among the documented areas of activity are borehole projects, solar-powered street lighting, road interventions and empowerment initiatives designed to support young people and women.
Roads remain particularly important to our communities. The ongoing attention to the Markaz Road and Ilesha-Ibaruba Road, alongside other proposed road interventions, illustrates the kind of infrastructure issues that deserve sustained engagement with the relevant authorities. Such projects must be followed through to completion, and the people have every right to demand clear updates on their progress.
Similarly, investments in water access, community lighting, skills acquisition and educational opportunities should not be dismissed simply because they do not satisfy every individual or reach every household at once. Development is a continuous process, and constituency needs are often greater than the resources available at any particular time.
At the same time, no responsible supporter should claim that every challenge has been solved. Our communities still have legitimate needs, and the next phase of representation must address them with greater urgency, transparency and measurable results.
The right question is not whether Hon. Abisodun has solved every problem. The right questions are what he has contributed, what remains outstanding and whether his experience offers the constituency a credible path towards further progress.
These are the questions that should guide our political judgment.
TO THE WAILERS: DISAGREEMENT IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR DISRESPECT
Let us be honest: no politician can satisfy everybody. Even the most hardworking public office holder will have critics. Some criticisms will be valid and deserve attention; others may arise from disappointment, competition or conflicting political interests.
But there must be limits to how we conduct ourselves in the public space.
Hon. Abisodun is a political office holder who should be held accountable for his responsibilities. He is also a human being deserving of basic dignity. Criticising his decisions is legitimate; abusing him without evidence is not a substitute for political participation.
If your preferred candidate is better, explain why. Present that candidate’s experience, plans, achievements and capacity to deliver. Tell the people what your candidate intends to do differently about our roads, education, healthcare, employment, water supply and other pressing needs.
That is how to earn public confidence.
You do not need to destroy another person before demonstrating the strength of your own candidate. You do not need to spread hostility to prove your political loyalty. And you certainly do not need to turn every discussion about constituency development into an opportunity for personal insults.
If you have facts, present them. If you have questions, ask them. If you have a better alternative, convince the people. But do not mistake abuse for achievement.
Our constituency is bigger than any individual’s political ambition, and our collective future is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of needless hostility.
WHY CONTINUITY DESERVES SERIOUS CONSIDERATION IN 2027
As the 2027 general election approaches, the people of Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo must make a decision that reflects their long-term interests.
Elections should not be decided solely by anger, friendship, tribal or community sentiment, political pressure or the loudest voices on social media. They should be determined by a careful assessment of the available candidates, their records, their competence, their accessibility and their proposed plans for the future.
Hon. Abisodun’s supporters have a strong argument for continuity: he has legislative experience, an established understanding of the constituency and a record of constituency interventions that can be examined and built upon. They believe that another term would provide an opportunity to consolidate ongoing efforts, pursue outstanding projects and expand initiatives that benefit the people.
That argument deserves consideration.
Continuity, however, must come with responsibility. The people should expect stronger follow-through on infrastructure projects, wider opportunities for youths and women, improved access to educational support, sustained engagement with communities and more transparent communication about constituency interventions.
A renewed mandate should mean renewed responsibility. It should mean more effective representation, stronger advocacy for federal projects and greater attention to communities whose needs remain unmet.
For these reasons, I believe Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun deserves serious consideration as the candidate to represent our constituency again. His experience and existing involvement in constituency matters provide a foundation upon which further progress can be pursued.
The decision ultimately belongs to the people, but it should be made on the basis of evidence, not noise.
ONE CONSTITUENCY, ONE COMMON FUTURE
We must also recognise that the Old Ifedapo Federal Constituency comprises different communities with different expectations. Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo all deserve effective representation. No community should feel forgotten, and no group should be made to believe that development is reserved for a select few.
Our political differences should not prevent us from working together on issues that affect us all. We can disagree over candidates and still respect one another. We can demand accountability and still acknowledge genuine contributions. We can support Hon. Abisodun while insisting that he does more for the people.
That is the maturity our politics needs.
To the supporters of Funfunloogun, the responsibility is equally clear: defend his record with facts, communicate his achievements accurately, acknowledge outstanding challenges and respond to criticism with intelligence rather than insults. A credible political movement is built on evidence, discipline and a clear vision for the people.
To those who oppose him, the door remains open for constructive debate. Let the conversation be about development, legislative performance, federal interventions, empowerment, education, roads and the future of our constituency.
Let us judge every candidate by the same standard.
CONCLUSION: RESPECT THE OFFICE, EXAMINE THE RECORD AND CHOOSE WISELY
Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun deserves respect as a representative of the people and deserves a fair assessment of his record. His supporters have every reason to present his experience, constituency interventions and case for continuity to the electorate ahead of 2027.
But the strongest defence of any politician is not an insult directed at an opponent. It is a demonstrable record of service, an honest explanation of what has been achieved and a convincing plan for what remains to be done.
As we approach another defining moment in our political history, let us reject needless hostility and embrace issue-based politics. Let us demand accountability from our representatives while refusing to reward baseless accusations. Let us give credit where it is due and insist on improvement where it is needed.
For me, the case for Funfunloogun is a case for considering experience, continuity and the opportunity to build on existing constituency interventions. I believe he deserves another opportunity to serve, provided that this opportunity is matched by greater commitment to the people and measurable progress in our communities.
2027 is not merely about who can shout the loudest. It is about who can represent us effectively, pursue our collective interests and help deliver the development our people deserve.
Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun — Funfunloogun. Experience matters. Performance must count. The people deserve more.
Let the debate be about facts. Let the campaign be about development. Let the decision be about the future of Old Ifedapo Federal Constituency.
