By Babalola Gafar
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming Remo Federal Constituency by-election in Ogun State, Adesola Elegbeji, has called for a review of the Nigerian Constitution to allow political parties retain legislative seats without the need for fresh elections when a serving lawmaker dies.
Elegbeji made this call while addressing journalists at the monthly guest forum organised by the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Abeokuta North LG leader of the house Hon. Moruf Erubami, Chairman Ijebu East LG Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde, Abeokuta North LG Chairman Hon. Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo, GM, Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency (OGSAA) Mr Fola Onifade in attendance.
She described the current practice as a “double punishment” for political parties that lose a serving lawmaker.
Elegbeji is contesting the seat alongside other candidates from opposition parties, to replace the late former member, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, who died in January, after a brief illness.
The by-election is scheduled to be held on Saturday 16th 2025.
Elegbeji described the by-election as an unnecessary political hurdle triggered by tragedy.
She said “We lost our sister, and now we’re being made to fight for what is rightfully ours.We should be allowed to present a replacement without contest.
“I believe that in the nearest future, the constitution will be amended or the electoral act will be amended such that when this happens to a party that has legitimately won a seat the party is allowed to appoint someone else to represent them without going through an election.
“I noticed that PDP is also contesting for the same seat. When Ijaya was there, she performed better than anyone else, including the PDP. The people of Remo are not blind”, she said.
Elegbede argued that with her over 11 years of experience in grassroots politics, she has the capacity to deliver more than others.
“I might not look like a typical politician to you but I can tell you that I have been in politics for the past 11 years, and I have been in grassroots politics, so when it comes to politics I have paid my dues.
"I have contested severally for several elective post and I have also served on the Ogun state judicial service commission”, she stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, emphasized that the media engagement was not intended as a political campaign, but rather as a platform for the electorate to hear directly from the candidate about their plans for the Remo Federal Constituency.
Olanrewaju expressed the belief that the coming by election will not only be violent free, but also credible and just.
Olanrewaju’s words “A few days ago, the ADC candidate was here before the gentlemen of the press. Today, the APC candidate. This is not a campaign platform, we are journalists, not politicians, so we are not here to campaign for any candidate.
"The Ogun NUJ council has set up this platform for members of your constituency to hear your mind concerning what you have for them.
“I want to assure you that come Saturday 16, we are coming to Remo to cover the election and we believe that it will be free, fair and credible”, he added.
