2027: Peller, Ogunesan, Adeoye, Others Face Tough Task to Surpass Buhari’s Record| Popoola
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, a public affairs commentator, Ambassador Popoola Hassan, has challenged prospective candidates for the Oyo North Senatorial District seat to explain how they intend to improve on the achievements of the incumbent senator, Buhari Abdulfatai.
Hassan, popularly known as “The Kishi-Man”, said the senator’s years in the National Assembly had set what he described as a high benchmark for anyone seeking to represent the district from 2027.
In a statement, Hassan said the quality of legislative representation should not be measured merely by attendance at plenary or the collection of official benefits, but by a lawmaker’s ability to attract development, build strategic relationships and effectively lobby for the interests of constituents.
He argued that Buhari’s tenure had demonstrated the importance of political experience, strategic engagement and accessibility in securing government interventions for constituents.
According to him, prospective candidates, including Hon. Shina Peller, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, Amofin Beulah Adeoye and others being mentioned in connection with the 2027 race, should go beyond campaign rhetoric and present clear, practical alternatives to what he described as the incumbent senator’s record.
“WHAT EXACTLY WILL YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?” Hassan asked, urging aspirants to focus on concrete programmes rather than slogans, posters and political affiliations.
He recalled that before Buhari’s emergence in 2015, the district had been represented by several senators, including Brimo Yusuf, Robert Koleosho, Gbenga Babalola and Hosea Agboola.
Hassan maintained that, in his assessment, Buhari’s interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, empowerment and technology had made a significant impact across the senatorial district.
He cited road projects in Iseyin, Okeho, Iganna and Saki, as well as interventions in Ogbomoso and other communities across Oyo North.
He also listed ICT centres, healthcare facilities, water projects, educational support, solar-powered streetlights, employment opportunities and empowerment programmes among the areas where he said the senator had made interventions.
Hassan described the establishment of the Federal University in Okeho as one of the major landmarks associated with Buhari’s representation, saying it had the potential to create long-term educational and economic opportunities for the people of Oke-Ogun and beyond.
Beyond physical projects, however, Hassan said Buhari’s accessibility and personal relationship with constituents were among the qualities he believed his successors should emulate.
He recalled a conversation in which he asked the senator why he rarely moved around with a large convoy or heavy security presence.
According to Hassan, Buhari responded that elected representatives should not intimidate the people who elected them.
Hassan said the senator’s response had remained memorable to him, particularly the assertion that good governance and positive performance should provide a measure of protection for a public servant.
While acknowledging that a successor could potentially surpass Buhari’s achievements, Hassan said the challenge before the 2027 contenders was to demonstrate how they intended to achieve that feat.
He stressed that effective representation required more than geographical origin, arguing that performance, competence, accessibility and the ability to attract development should be central considerations.
“Senator Fatai Buhari is not from Oke-Ogun, but he has done excellently well. He has shown that where a representative comes from should not matter as much as what he does with the opportunity to serve,” Hassan said.
He added that whoever eventually emerges in 2027 would inherit a constituency with heightened expectations from voters.
“The 2027 contestants have a big shoe to fill. The people deserve to know how each aspirant intends to wear it,” he said.