The Pelumi Olajengbesi Campaign Organisation (POCO) has urged the lawmaker representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Hon. Wole Oke, to fulfil a financial pledge he reportedly made to the people of Iloko-Ijesa during the community’s 2024 Iloko Day celebration.
The organisation also called on political actors to end alleged forced oath-taking in Oriade/Obokun ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that residents should be free to support candidates of their choice without intimidation.
In a press statement signed and released by its spokesperson, Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo, POCO said Oke made the pledge while addressing the community during the festival, promising to support the town and assuring residents that he would not abandon them.
The group expressed concern that the commitment had allegedly remained unfulfilled two years after it was made in the presence of the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, his chiefs and other community members.
“It is embarrassing that a pledge made before His Royal Majesty, the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, his chiefs, and the entire community has remained unfulfilled two years after,” the statement read.
POCO said the people of Iloko-Ijesa deserved respect and urged the lawmaker to honour his commitment.
“Iloko people are honest and hardworking people who deserve respect. You can not come to their festival, make a bogus pledge before the people, and disappear. We condemn deception under the guise of representation,” the organisation stated.
The group called on Oke to fulfil the pledge without further delay.
On the issue of alleged forced oath-taking, POCO said reports of the practice across Oriade/Obokun ahead of the 2027 elections were troubling and called for an end to it.
“We also strongly condemn the growing reports of forced oath-taking across Oriade/Obokun ahead of 2027 general elections. This crude and undemocratic practice must stop,” the statement added.
The organisation maintained that residents should be allowed to make independent political choices without being pressured to swear oaths to deities or other objects as a condition for supporting a candidate.
“Let it be known that Oriade/Obokun belongs to no one. Our people reserve the right to support any candidate of their choice without being threatened or compelled to swear to any deity or object,” POCO said.
It also commended traditional rulers and other stakeholders who had spoken out against the alleged practice, while praising youths in Ijesa North for taking a stand against oath-taking.