- Allegations untrue, Adelegbe reacts, says ‘I’m close to my people’
A member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe has been criticised by his constituents for alleged poor performance and inacessibility.
However, the lawmaker who represents the Owo/ Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, described the allegations against him as unjustified, insisting that he has been close to his people and that he has performed creditably. Reacting, he said he had lived up to expectations through adequate representation at the National Assembly.
Firing the first shot that sparked further criticisms from other constituents, is the Diocesan Bishop of the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Imola Owo, Revd. Stephen Fagbemi, who lamented that the two term federal lawmaker is not accessible to his people.
Fagbemi described Adelegbe’s attitude to most of his constituents as disappointing, as he regretted that the lawmaker has become inaccessible to the constituents since he was elected over five years ago.
He spoke during a memorial service held recently in honour of the departed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in his church, with Adelegbe also in attendance.
While recognising dignitaries at the event, Bishop Fagbemi pointedly told Adelegbe: “You have not been accessible to those that voted for you since you went to Abuja.
“Your number is no longer available again.”
Also in his closing remarks, the Bishop reminded the lawmaker saying, “Please let your number be available whenever we call you.“
However, the cleric commended Hon Adegboyega Adefarati, Adelegbe’s counterpart representing Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who was also at the event.
He said, “I commend you Honourable Adefarati for all you have been doing for your people. They are proud of you.“
Also, Fagbemi stressed the importance of prioritizing agriculture and security to address the country’s pressing challenges.
Spontaneously, the Bishop’s criticisms sparked further reactions of Adelegbe’s other constituents in the social media, who also lashed the lawmaker, and commended the cleric for being bold to say the truth.
Following are some of their comments: “The Bishop constructively criticised Adelegbe, it is important for the MHR to look inward and correct anywhere he feels he needs to correct.
“The problems of all this politicians are all this supporters who will rather trade crumbs for truth .
“The major core of politics is constructive criticism which the Bishop did.“
“In sincerity, what is the big deal if a pastor or anyone blasts a politician for not doing the right thing for his people. Are we not the ones who elected them to represent us? So if they are not doing well, nobody should talk? It remains small, eti won a gbo dende oro. For am not in a mood to talk, we are still in pain.”
“That’s the best truth shared above. For me, I don’t rate him and can never rate. I don’t have issues with him but I think when talking about 21st century leadership, baba isn’t there at all. And again, our people are rather primitive except for some few, they aid him in doing wrong things.
“I read lamentations from those who supported him but they were warned in the first place but always felt they know more after all, there’s freedom of association.
“Recently, one of us still shared an open appreciation to him that got me laughing real hard. I don’t know for how long we shall keep doing this hurt and disservice to ourselves.“
“Adelegbe spend 6 yrs in office without facilities any employment rather than sharing Okada Marwa to party members. The clergy said the truth. I hope other clergy can follow the same step, maybe our rep can rethink and do the right things, we can’t continue like this.“
Another person, Edmund said, “The least obligation of a public servant elected to serve his constituents is to pick up your calls. I’ll put my money on the Lord Bishop here. Adelegbe should embrace criticism and change his ways. All these hubris don’t pay at all.”
One Holy Crown said “If a whole Bishop scolds anyone and he felt like going to the media to say whatever, then such is an example of the proverbial lost dog that won’t listen to the hunter’s whistle. Let this lawmaker know that the Bishop is one of those he represents and he should know that any of his constituency members has a legal right to file a vote of no confidence in him, with support he will become an ordinary man.
“An Anglican Bishop of such caliber can get any support he needs. Soon those that matter will take steps in things that matter most.”
Reacting, Adelegbe faulted the Bishop’s allegation of being inaccessible to his constituents since he was elected as false.
He believed that the Bishop was acting on alleged wrong and unverified information from faceless people who were desperate to rubbish his achievements and destroy his reputation.
Adelegbe said “My line is always on. I pick all manner of calls and if I’m busy, I do return all the missed calls, so, I don’t know where this allegation is coming from because the Bishop has never called me without picking it.
“I’m not far from my people, Owo is my home. It’s on record that I’ve been judged by the same constituents as a true representative who really cares for his people, considering my monumental achievements in the Owo/Ose Federal constituency in the last six years”.
Also, a statement by the lawmaker’s Media Team Head, Mr. Olaniyi Eni-Olotu, debunked the Bishop’s allegations against his principal as untrue.
According to the statement: “It is on record that Otunba Dr. Timehin Adelegbe has been recognised by his constituents as a true representative who genuinely cares for his people, considering his monumental achievements in the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency over the last six years.”
Olotu said: “One would have preferred to ignore the statement, but due to the need to set the record straight, especially since it was made by a highly respected clergyman during his church service, it must be addressed.
“In this year alone, Otunba Timehin Adelegbe spent time with his people during the sixth edition of his mega empowerment programme for students, artisans, market women, and various other groups. Many participants went home with tricycles, motorcycles, hair dryers, laptops, cash grants, pumping machines, generators, deep freezers, among other items.
“Beyond this, many projects initiated by him have been completed, and he has recently released N300 million to fast-track the completion of all ongoing projects in the constituency.
“It seems Bishop Fagbemi is unaware that Otunba Dr. Timehin Adelegbe spent over a fortnight with his constituents celebrating the Yuletide season”.
He added that Adelegbe is also working to ensure that his party records success in the coming local government election, as seen in his moral and financial support to all party’s candidates in Owo and Ose Local Government Areas, LGAs.
Olotu said: “One would expect a message of love, truth, and unity from the altar of God, not one borne out of shared hatred and aimed primarily at tarnishing someone’s image without just cause.”
