Olajengbesi declares for Osun reps, promises youth inclusion
Human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi wants to represent the Oriade/Obokun area in Nigeria’s House of Representatives. He announced his plan to run in the 2027 election.
Olajengbesi leads a political group called the Imole Grassroots Mobilisation Network in Osun State. The 38-year-old lawyer made his announcement on Thursday, 12 June 2025, posting a statement on Facebook. He comes from Ijebu-Ijesa in the Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State and tried to win this same position in 2019.
The same politician, Wole Oke, has held this seat for 24 years since 2003. Oke recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Olajengbesi believes his area needs fresh leadership and new ideas instead of the same old politics.
The lawyer chose Democracy Day to make his announcement, highlighting his focus on youth involvement in politics. “On this Democracy Day, I write to you with great humility and conviction to formally state my intention to represent the good people of Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives,” he said.
“For over 24 year, we have been represented by the same voice. Our leaders have played their part and made notable contributions to the development of our communities and people. But today, I have a message. It is time for something new.”
Olajengbesi argues that his constituency faces problems because politicians keep using the same old approaches. He said the area has remained “stuck in the same place because we keep recycling the same ideas, the same old representation since the Fourth Republic”. Nigeria’s Fourth Republic started in 1999 when the country returned to civilian democratic rule after military governments.
He wants to bring a different approach to politics. “What we need now is fresh thinking. A principled and energetic voice. A selfless leadership driven by service and the understanding of our collective pain,” Olajengbesi explained.
Read Also: Unemployment: Youths threaten to shut down power company
The lawyer particularly wants young people to take more active roles in Nigerian politics. “We, the young people of this country, must not allow anyone to tell us again that our time has not come. Our time is now,” he declared.
Olajengbesi urged young Nigerians to get involved in politics in practical ways. “We must rise up and participate in the political process, by contesting elections and pouring our hearts to the service of our people or by voting in an election to elect vision driven leaders who can make our country a better place.”
However, the lawyer shows respect for older leaders whilst pushing for change. “In Ijesa North, we honour our elders. We acknowledge their sacrifices. But change has become an urgent necessity. It will require courage. We may be labelled rebellious, but if we fail to act now, we risk surrendering the future. And truly, the future is now.”
Olajengbesi plans to run on the PDP ticket. He also encourages people in his area to vote for Governor Ademola Adeleke again in the 2026 state election.
Wole Oke represented the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency for 24 years before leaving the PDP recently. This creates an opportunity for new candidates like Olajengbesi to seek the party’s nomination.
