Lawyer Criticizes Osun Representative's Scholarship Claims as Insult to Constituents
Public-interest lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi has strongly criticized claims by House of Representatives member Wole Oke that he awarded scholarships to 1,240 indigent students in the Obokun Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State. In a statement published on his Facebook page, Olajengbesi argued that the lawmaker's actions do not constitute genuine scholarship support.
Questioning the Nature of the Support
Olajengbesi, who serves as convener of the Imole Grassroots Mobilisation Network—a support movement advocating for the re-election of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke—asserted that Oke merely provided N8,000 each to 99 youths in the constituency. "I am deeply embarrassed to read claims by Wole Oke that he has awarded scholarships to 1,240 students in Ijesa North," Olajengbesi stated. "That statement, in its entirety, is an outright insult to the knowledge, intelligence, and dignity of the good people of Oriade/Obokun."
He emphasized that the payment of N8,000 to children from poor families who cannot afford proper schooling and are being trained as artisans does not qualify as scholarship assistance. "Let us be clear, this is not scholarship," Olajengbesi declared. "It is an attempt to humiliate the poor and keep them in a cycle of dependency while projecting a false image of empowerment."
Challenging Two Decades of Representation
Olajengbesi, who is also a hopeful for the Obokun Oriade Federal Constituency seat in the upcoming 2027 general elections, accused Oke of failing to deliver meaningful democratic dividends to the people during his 24-year tenure. "For 24 years, Wole Oke has occupied the seat representing Oriade/Obokun," he noted. "Within that time, he should be able to point to at least one or ten individuals whose lives have been genuinely transformed through a verifiable scholarship initiative under his sponsorship."
He questioned why, after nearly a quarter-century, no beneficiaries of Oke's supposed scholarship programs can be identified as independent and successful individuals. "The entire 24 years have been a waste for Ijesa North," Olajengbesi concluded, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of tangible educational impact.
Demanding Transparency and Genuine Support
Olajengbesi further challenged Oke to publish his tax records from before 2003 to demonstrate his financial standing prior to holding public office. He also pointed to Oke's ownership of British International School campuses in Abuja, Ibadan, Lagos, and Osogbo, suggesting that if education were truly his priority, he should provide full scholarships for children from Oriade or Obokun in these institutions.
"If education is truly his priority and he genuinely loves the people, he should provide full scholarships for the children of Oriade or Obokun in his schools and allow them access to real opportunities that can transform their lives," Olajengbesi asserted. He cautioned that token payments branded as scholarships insult families genuinely seeking educational opportunities for their children.
Efforts to reach Representative Wole Oke for comment on Olajengbesi's claims were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, leaving the allegations unanswered. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the effectiveness and sincerity of political representatives' educational initiatives in Nigeria.
