By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN — A Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Raji, has called on political actors and stakeholders in Oyo State to look beyond cosmetic slogans and ground their progressive politics in historical continuity, disciplined execution, and citizen-focused development.
Alhaji Raji made the call today at Jogor Centre Ibadan while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Lam Adesina Annual Lecture Series held in Ibadan.
The Legal luminary while Speaking on the theme “Shaping the Future of Oyo State: The Nexus Between History, Progressive Politics, and Development,” emphasized that the electorate’s political memory remains a formidable standard that no politician can afford to ignore.
While Drawing parallels from the visionary foundations laid by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the defunct Western Region and the frugal governance of the late former Governor Lam Adesina, Raji noted that voters do not judge administrations by political parties or logos, but by the tangible standard of service delivery.
“Why does a farmer in Oke-Ogun still talk about free primary education from 1955 as though it had happened recently?” Raji queried. “He isn’t remembering a party. He’s remembering a standard. One government decided long ago that investing in people was a good idea, and every government since has been held to that standard.”
The Senior Advocate While celebrating the rich heritage of progressive politics in the region lamented that the Yoruba political movement has frequently suffered more from self-inflicted wounds, personal rivalries, and the tendency to turn inward than from external opposition.
“Yoruba politics has long carried the habit of turning inward, of wounding itself. When the family splits, the other side does not need to win; it only needs to wait,” he cautioned.
He also urged political leaders to bridge the disconnect between popular, progressive ideals and the distrust often directed at political machinery, such as godfatherism and candidate imposition.
Moreover, ahead of the forthcoming election , Raji implored political stakeholders to Agree on a shared policy platform before haggling over individual candidates, Prioritize education, infrastructure, and agriculture above personal loyalties, Build monitoring and continuity into government programs, Consult widely across all zones before making critical policy decisions and Hold each other publicly accountable in order to salvage governance and restore public.
However, the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by the Minister for power , Engineer Joseph Olategbe lauded the entire family Lam Adeshina for keep the legacy of the visionary leader alive.
The president in his speech emphasised that the platform continues to inspire a new generation of leaders who understand public office as a trusteeship, Adding that leaders must always remain accountable to the people and committed to giving every child and family a fair chance.
Meanwhile, the son of the late sage . Honorable Dapo Lam Adeshina appreciated the every one who graced the event ,urging everyone to live a life worthy of emulation.
The event was graced by dignitaries , political icons , well wishers , the progressive party members and close and and distant members of the Late Lam Adeshina Family
