Kunle Adelabu
A political and developmental platform, Lekan Aroyewun Project (LeAP) has called on the electorates in Ikorodu Federal Constituency to re-elect Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, as their representatives come February 2023.
Benson, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming General Elections, is seeking a third term as a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
The youthful lawmaker, popularly called ‘JB’, was first elected in 2015 and re – elected in 2019.
In a statement titled, ‘A Call To Re – Elect JB’, signed by the Director – General (DG), LeAP Management Team, Mr Nurudeen Oshinlaja, said that the call for the re – election of Rep. Benson who is the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, is predicated on entrenchment of democracy.
The group, which stated that the federal lawmaker has earned his own re – election, raised five major points why he is deserving of re – election.
According to the group, Benson is a ‘super legislator’ who has contributed in no small term to debates and general performances of the House and facilitated projects that have transformed several aspects of the country’s existence.
“There could not be a more perfect no-brainer than re-electing Hon. Adegoke Babajimi Benson, JB, as a Member of the House of Representatives (MHR), representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency. But for the need to entrench democracy, there shouldn’t have been any need for JB to be ‘secondaried’ just like he was technically not primaried. It is true that voting is our right, let us, therefore, be true to the Ikorodu Division by massively voting the right man, JB”, the statement said.
“JB is like salt that explains itself in food. However, at least, 5 reasons can be adduced why JB deserves to be overwhelmingly returned to the green chamber.
“JB is a super legislator. JB contributes to the outputs of the house of representatives with excellent ratings. His contributions in terms of bills, motions, and actionable petitions do not just make up the numbers, they are quality. He develops bills, proposes ideas, and moves that have transformational benefits. He was responsible for the bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund, bill seeking to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2020, and ‘the Good Samaritan Bill’ among others”, LeAP said.
“JB easily ranks as the number one supporter of affirmative actions and social welfare. He voted and galvanized votes in favour of gender bills during constitution amendments sittings. Not many knew that he sponsored the motion to commemorate the World Teachers Day and celebration of Nigerian Teachers. He fought for the prompt payment of salaries and pension arrears of officers who retired from the Federal Civil Service between 2012 and 2020. His strong voice and petition on the matter helped a lot.
LeAP also described the lawmaker as a representative that is effective in his oversight function.
“JB does oversights with grace. His current position as the Chairman House Committee on Defence, makes people see how astute, dedicated, meticulous, intelligent, and passionate JB is. But all these and more have always been his selling skills. For example, JB meritoriously discharged his previous roles: Chairman, House Committee on Banking and Finance; Chairman, sub-committee on Habitat; Deputy Chairman, Committee on Delegated Legislation; and Member of various other committees at one time or another.
“There is no better and experienced MHR (Member House of Representatives) to lead the oversight of our nation’s Defence than JB. Although, we expect stoicism, the midas touches JB bbrought, have and are giving the much needed impetus to the sector.
Other issues adduced by LeAP as reasons for the electorates to re – elect JB are: facilitation of projects, compassion and mentorship capacity.
“JB is projectification: The seminal works on projectification by great project management thinkers certainly have one limitation. Their works did not predict that projectification can be blended with legislation. I am sure even those great thinkers will be flabbergasted by JB’s projectification quest. Some state governors can only but envy the road and infrastructural projects JB has delivered”, the statement also said.
“What a BENSONised (Bankable, Emboldened, Nifty, Suave, Outstanding and Noble) representative we have in Ikorodu! We should not waiver in re-electing him.
“JB is compassionate: No other selfless deeds typify the next level of compassion than JB’s iCare’s Àpò Àánú. This gesture regularly caters for the elders, vulnerables and indigents with no reservations. The gesture tops the list of acts of compassion anywhere”, the group also stated.
“As a graceful person, JB further plugs another significant gap by donating an 80-bed mother and child hospital to Imota. Even the ‘people’ who got some backlogs of their derivation paid must be in awe of JB. JB, sir, should Igbogbo be expecting hers in 2023?”, LeAP asked.
While stating that JB is a star, LeAP stated:
“For Ikorodu Division, JB is a star. He mentors people close – up and many are mentored by him at a distance. For Lagos State, he is a charismatic leader. He strengthens his mentees politically, socially and economically. One cannot look too far away from JB if one desires a reputable political leader as a mentor. Gradually, JB has become a star for Nigeria”, he emphasized.
“There is so much more to write that concluding this piece is reluctantly done. The fact that so many of JB’s accomplishments, including livelihood empowerment (mini buses, etc) for residents and students support initiatives are not explicitly discussed in this piece, says a lot about how exceptional JB is. He is gratifying expectations and he would not stop.
“In all honesty, as the people spared nothing to elect him in 2015 and 2019, JB weathers the storm and gets drenched in the rain to bring the best to the people of Ikorodu Federal Constituency. It is only reasonable that the progressive cycle continues, hence, we should not hesitate to endure the scorching sun to re-elect JB in 2023”, the group said.
