The Pelumi Olajengbesi Campaign Organisation (POCO) has criticised Hon. Wole Oke over his open letter to the Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Moses Olufemi Agunsoye, accusing the lawmaker of questioning the monarch’s neutrality after he spoke against the alleged practice of taking voters to shrines for oath-taking.
The organisation stated its position in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo, defending the monarch’s intervention and challenging Oke to account for his development record in Ijebu-Jesa and other parts of Ijesa North.
POCO described Oke’s letter as an attempt to undermine the traditional ruler, arguing that the monarch was acting in the interest of his subjects by speaking against practices it said could expose voters to fear and intimidation.
The organisation also faulted Oke’s record in Ijebu-Jesa, alleging that the mini-stadium project undertaken during his years in office had fallen into disrepair.
According to POCO, the facility, which it described as substandard and abandoned, had become overgrown with vegetation. It further claimed that the project was among the few major developments Oke could point to in the town after years in public office.
The campaign organisation accused the lawmaker of invoking his relationship with the traditional institution for political reasons, arguing that his appeal to the monarch’s neutrality came amid controversy over shrine-based oath-taking.
“It is the duty of a father to protect his children from political slave masters who drag them to shrines for oath-taking over a miserable N20,000,” the statement said.
POCO also defended Oba Agunsoye’s reported declaration that voters should not fear any consequences for accepting money from politicians but voting according to their conscience.
Quoting the monarch, the organisation said: “Collect their money, but don’t vote for them. Nothing will happen to you. We have reversed the curse.”
It described the statement as an effort by the monarch to reassure residents against fear associated with alleged oath-taking practices.
Questioning Oke’s reaction to the monarch’s position, POCO maintained that the intervention was directed at politicians allegedly involved in taking voters to shrines.
“Why is Hon. Wole Oke so disturbed by the directive of a royal father? Is he among those taking voters to shrines?” the organisation asked.
The group further challenged Oke to focus on development projects rather than criticising the traditional ruler.
It cited the Military Games Village project in Esa-Oke, Oke’s hometown, which it alleged had remained uncompleted for 16 years, as another project requiring attention.
“You cannot blackmail Ijebu-Jesa. You cannot blackmail Ijesa North. Stop taking constituents to shrines for oath-taking. Rather, take them to see your legacy projects in Ijesa North, including the 16-year uncompleted Military Games Village in your hometown, Esa-Oke,” the statement added.
The allegations concerning Oke’s record and the two projects were made by POCO. Oke’s response to the claims was not included in the statement provided.