Ilaje and Ese-Odo: DLA Candidate, Hon. Taiwo Samuel Ilawole Condemns Distribution of 4,500 Bags of Rice by Hon. Donald Ojogo, Calls it a Deception of Electorates

Hon. Taiwo Samuel Ilawole, the MHR candidate for DLA and a leading voice in the forthcoming elections, has strongly condemned the distribution of 4,500 bags of rice by Hon. Donald Ojogo. In a statement released, Hon. Ilawole described the gesture as a calculated attempt to deceive the people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Federal Constituency at a time when they are yearning for genuine development and sustainable empowerment. He argued that such temporary handouts do not address the deep-rooted challenges of poverty, unemployment, and poor infrastructure facing the constituency.

According to Hon. Ilawole, the distribution of food items at the eve of political activities has become a recurring strategy used by some politicians to buy loyalty rather than earn it through performance. He noted that while hunger is real in many homes, the solution does not lie in sharing bags of rice that will last for a few weeks. “Our people deserve more than palliatives. They deserve roads, functional health centers, quality education, and jobs that will give them dignity,” he stated. He maintained that constituents should not be reduced to beggars during election seasons only to be abandoned after votes are cast.

The DLA candidate further blasted Hon. Donald Ojogo, questioning the priorities behind the rice distribution instead of channeling resources toward meaningful development projects. Hon. Ilawole asked why a serving leader would choose to share consumables that will finish within days instead of investing in projects that will outlive his tenure and impact generations. He stressed that true representation is measured by the number of lives transformed through policies, empowerment programs, and infrastructure, not by the quantity of food shared during campaigns.

Hon. Ilawole urged the electorates to reject any form of inducement and to vote based on track record, competence, and vision for the future. He reassured the people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo that under his leadership, the focus will be on delivering tangible development, creating opportunities for youths and women, and ensuring that public resources are used for projects that have lasting value. “The era of rice politics is over. Our people are wiser now, and they will choose development over deception,” he concluded.