The Pelumi Olajengbesi Campaign Organisation (POCO) has called on the member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Wole Oke, to return his honorary doctorate degree from Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) and publicly account for donations collected for a lecture theatre project he promised to build five years ago.
The organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo, accusing the lawmaker of failing to fulfil his commitment to the university despite publicly acknowledging contributions towards the project.
According to POCO, Oke received the honorary doctorate at JABU’s 11th convocation ceremony in January 2021. During his acceptance speech, he reportedly promised to construct a befitting lecture theatre for the institution as a gesture of appreciation.
The organisation said the lawmaker later posted a 3D design of the proposed building on July 10, 2021, while publicly thanking friends and associates who donated towards the project.
However, POCO alleged that five years after the promise was made, the project remained incomplete, with only an abandoned foundation reportedly visible at the site.
The group questioned why the project had not been completed despite the public acknowledgement of donations, arguing that the situation raised concerns about accountability and the fulfilment of commitments made to the university.
“How do you collect an honorary degree on the strength of a promise, solicit donations from friends which you publicly acknowledged, and then abandon the project for five years? Where is the honour in that doctorate?” the statement asked.
POCO consequently demanded that Oke return the honorary degree to JABU and provide a comprehensive public account of all funds donated towards the construction of the lecture theatre.
The organisation also used the controversy to question the lawmaker’s record of representation, saying the people of Ijesa North deserved leaders whose promises translated into completed projects and tangible development.
“Ijesa North deserves a representative who builds, not one whose projects become ruins,” the statement added.
The latest criticism comes amid growing political exchanges surrounding representation and development in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.