Beyond charity and visible interventions, the real test of leadership lies in consistency, credibility, and connection. As Egbeda–Ona-Ara Federal Constituency gradually moves from political speculation to strategic alignment ahead of 2027, the electorate is becoming more discerning. The era of emergency politicians—those who surface only when elections approach—is steadily losing relevance.
In recent weeks, several names have begun to circulate as “aspirants” for the House of Representatives seat. Posters are being designed, consultations hurriedly arranged, and social media noise amplified. Yet, when subjected to the simple question—where have you been all these years?—many of these aspirants fall silent.
For the people of Egbeda–Ona-Ara, representation is no longer about who can speak the loudest, but who has stood the longest with them.
This is where the distinction between contenders and pretenders becomes even clearer.
A genuine contender understands that federal representation is not an apprenticeship position. It requires prior exposure to public service, policy understanding, and—most importantly—a tested relationship with the people. It is not a platform for political experimentation or personal elevation.
Hon. Dr. Temitope Ezekiel Oladimeji (OTOPE) fits this standard effortlessly.
What separates OTOPE from the pack is not just what he has done, but how and why he has done it. His interventions have been inclusive, non-discriminatory, and sustained—cutting across party lines, wards, religious affiliations, and social status. This approach has earned him organic goodwill that money cannot buy and propaganda cannot manufacture.
The Origin of Lent: How a 40-Day Fast Became a Global Phenomenon
Unlike political tourists who view Egbeda–Ona-Ara as an electoral destination, Dr. Oladimeji has consistently treated the constituency as home. His engagements are not reactive; they are proactive. His presence is not seasonal; it is constant. His relationship with the people is not transactional; it is built on trust and empathy.
Pretenders, on the other hand, often mistake visibility for value. They confuse sudden generosity for leadership and assume that a few handshakes can erase years of absence. Politics, however, has memory—especially at the grassroots. The people remember who stood with them in difficult times and who merely observed from a distance.
As we approach 2027, Egbeda–Ona-Ara is sending a clear signal: representation must be earned, not negotiated.
The House of Representatives seat is too strategic, too consequential, and too sensitive to be handed to political trial-and-error candidates. Our constituency deserves someone who already understands its peculiar challenges—healthcare access, youth unemployment, education gaps, women empowerment, farmers’ welfare, and infrastructure deficits—and has demonstrated capacity to address them.
Egbeda–Ona-Ara 2027: Contender and Pretenders || By Aare Alao Olalekan
That is why, in my considered opinion, Dr. Temitope Ezekiel Oladimeji remains the standout contender in this unfolding political journey.
Egbeda–Ona-Ara does not need noise.
It needs knowledge.
It does not need experimentation.
It needs experience.
And above all, it does not need pretenders.
The conversation has moved beyond ambition. It has entered the realm of records, relevance, and readiness. As the months ahead unfold, the people will decide—but one thing is certain: the line between contenders and pretenders is no longer blurred.
It is bold, visible, and unmistakable.
Aaré Alao Olalekan
FIBSU President Emeritus
FOSSU National Leader
Former Chairmanship Aspirant, Ona-Ara Local Government
Special Assistant to Ona-Ara Local Government Chairman on Health
Writes from Ward 06, Ona-Ara Local Government
February 10, 2026.
