Pelumi Olajengbesi: The New Order in Ijesa North and Why His Candidacy Matters

By Damilare Adeniyi 

Pelumi Olajengbesi is now the candidate of the Accord Party for the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency. If God permits, and Jesus our Lord and Savior delays His second coming, Pelumi, the son of Olajengbesi, will be elected by the good people of Ijesa North, and INEC will declare him the winner of the 2027 Oriade/Obokun House of Representatives election.

It is interesting that each time Pelumi Olajengbesi has vied for public office, it has been like passing a cow through the eye of a needle. He began partisan politics in 2017 at the age of 32 in a Federal Constituency where young people are rarely allowed to grow politically. He struggled for the Rep ticket and labored hard for it. He was a worthy challenger, but as a new face, party leaders favored the incumbent and advised him to take the State Assembly ticket instead.

He wanted to be a Rep. His followers frowned at the Assembly ticket, but Pelumi, as a loyal party man, told them that the Assembly ticket was also a victory. “We need to work harder and better to secure a Rep ticket,” he said. “You don’t join a party as a fresher and dictate like a commando.” He resolved to work for the party’s choice and supported Wole Oke in Ijebu-Jesa and Oriade LGA, where he comes from.

After Oke’s victory, he started a campaign of calumny against Pelumi Olajengbesi. He befriended the opposition party and directed his followers to work against Pelumi’s aspiration. He also funded his rival. 

What was Pelumi’s offence? He lobbied for a Rep ticket, and Oke had to prostrate before party leaders and beg before he could obtain an automatic ticket. I don’t blame Wole Oke. Who wouldn’t be angry when a 32-year-old challenges you over an automatic ticket?

It is in the history of Oriade/Obokun that those who challenge Wole Oke and the status quo don’t return to the Federal Constituency. They relocate after every trial. But Pelumi was different. After losing the Assembly election, many thought Olajengbesi would fly away like the others, but he shocked many. He remained in the party and kept financing it.

In 2023, he did not vie for any position because there was a political agreement between Wole Oke, Pelumi Olajengbesi, and some PDP leaders that Oke should be allowed to go for another term, and hopefully, his last term. When Oke emerged, he changed gears. He began lobbying party leaders, seeking to renew a term he had not even started. He activated his old strategy: criticising the Governor he shares a party with and organizing meetings that undermined the governor’s capacity. “If you want to kill a dog, first accuse him of having rabies.”

When the end is near, things become clearer. Governor Adeleke’s victory was Oke’s greatest threat to political survival and dominance. Governor Adeleke empowered Oke’s followers as party men. People who once relied on Oke for crumbs as low as ₦2,000 were empowered and allowed to attain financial freedom. Oke felt threatened and resorted to blackmail and falsehood against the Governor. He was unhappy that the governor was helping his followers. When leaders began shutting their doors against him for another automatic ticket, he left the party that gave him everything.

After a decade of intense politicking, Pelumi has learned to take things with caution. In a state where people his age lobby for data, appointments, stipends, or help politicians carry bags, he has changed the perspective. His leaders, especially Governor Ademola Adeleke who made it happen, deserve applause. Pelumi that I know is a contented man, but not a satisfied man. I strongly believe he will change the face of Ijesa North and help it attain greatness.

Pelumi Olajengbesi is a lawyer and activist of note. His records are clean, appealing, and enticing. The UNIABUJA graduate, who started as a young lawyer under Kayode Ajulo, the current Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, owns Law Corridor, one of the biggest law firms in Abuja. He is brilliant, intelligent, capable, kind, generous, and most importantly, genuinely concerned about the plight of the poor, disadvantaged, and vulnerable.

Pelumi sees politics as service to the people. His favorite quote is: “Those who use public money to fund private lifestyles are enemies of humanity.” He has the capacity to deliver fresh ideas toward the development and progress of Ijesa North Federal Constituency. Congratulations to the people of Ijesa North. The new order is here.

Damilare Adeniyi, a native of Ijebu-Jesa, writes from Scotland, United Kingdom 🇬🇧