Beyond Partisan Politics: Ganiyu Olaoluwa Will Be a Disaster, Compound Disgrace for Osun Central If Elected a Senator, Says CPG
By Reloaded News Desk
OSOGBO — The Citizens Progressive Group (CPG) has intensified its criticism of the Accord Party’s decision to field Alhaji Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa, popularly known as Asejere, for the Osun Central Senatorial District, warning that the choice raises serious questions about the quality of representation the district can expect at the National Assembly.
The group’s position centres on what it considers inadequate articulation of a clear legislative agenda by the candidate, particularly following his appearance on Rave FM’s Oro Oselu programme on October 12, 2026.
In its earlier intervention, CPG questioned whether Olaoluwa had sufficiently demonstrated his understanding of the responsibilities of a senator, including lawmaking, budget scrutiny, legislative oversight and engagement with federal institutions.
The group argued that the Senate requires more than political popularity, grassroots connections and promises of constituency projects, insisting that prospective lawmakers should demonstrate the capacity to translate campaign commitments into measurable legislative outcomes.
According to CPG, Osun Central deserves a representative who can identify specific legislative priorities, explain how federal policies would benefit the district and outline practical strategies for addressing the needs of constituents across its 10 local government areas.
The organisation also questioned the substance of promises reportedly made by Olaoluwa to teachers, traditional rulers, youths and women, arguing that naming beneficiaries without clearly explaining the proposed interventions does not amount to a comprehensive legislative programme.
CPG maintained that the electorate has a responsibility to examine candidates beyond their party affiliations and campaign structures, particularly when the office being contested carries significant responsibilities for national legislation and public accountability.
Questions Over Candidate Selection
The group also criticised the Accord Party’s decision to nominate Olaoluwa despite the availability of other political figures, including former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuf, whom it considers worthy of consideration.
CPG described the decision as a reflection of broader concerns about candidate selection in Nigeria, where political considerations can overshadow questions of competence, experience and preparedness for public office.
It argued that political parties must take responsibility for the candidates they present to voters and explain the considerations guiding their choices.
The group stressed that its intervention should not be interpreted as a partisan campaign but as a call for higher standards of political representation and greater accountability from those seeking public office.
Olaoluwa’s Campaign and the Challenge of Representation
Olaoluwa emerged as the Accord Party’s consensus candidate for Osun Central in May 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the inauguration of his campaign council in Osogbo in October, he pledged to provide quality representation to the district.
The Secretary to the Osun State Government and chairman of the campaign council, Teslim Igbalaye, also defended the candidate’s credentials, pointing to his previous service as a local government chairman and party chairman, as well as his grassroots political experience.
These endorsements have placed the candidate’s political experience at the centre of the campaign, while CPG’s criticism has shifted attention towards the specific legislative outcomes he intends to pursue if elected.
The central question raised by the group is whether political experience and grassroots recognition, without a clearly articulated legislative programme, are sufficient grounds for entrusting a candidate with a seat in the Senate.
CPG Calls for Issue-Based Campaigns
CPG urged voters in Osun Central to demand detailed explanations of candidates’ legislative priorities, development proposals and accountability mechanisms before making their decisions.
It challenged all senatorial contenders in the district to publicly explain the bills they intend to sponsor, the federal interventions they hope to attract and the methods they would adopt to monitor the implementation of projects and programmes serving their constituents.
The group maintained that the quality of representation should be judged by a candidate’s preparedness for the responsibilities of the office, rather than campaign enthusiasm or political loyalty.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the controversy places renewed emphasis on the need for candidates to move beyond general promises and present practical, measurable plans for the development of Osun Central.
For CPG, the issue is not merely which political party produces the next senator, but whether the person elected can effectively represent the district’s interests in the National Assembly.
