As a constituent of Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency (which encompasses Ejigbo) and a long-time political observer and columnist who has followed developments in Lagos politics closely, I write this with both admiration and analytical detachment.
Today’s PVC Registration Drive at 10 Ganiyu Street, Ejigbo, starting at 9:00 AM, is not merely another constituency outreach. It is a clear statement of who our Honourable Member, Barr. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, truly is.
Elected in 2023 under the Labour Party (LP) banner, he defeated the then-incumbent APC candidate with a decisive margin.
In a House of Representatives where LP members faced intense pressure, internal fractures, factionalism, and prolonged litigation, Onuakalusi distinguished himself as the only elected LP member in his immediate political ecosystem who stayed the course longest. He did not rush to defect at the first sign of turbulence. Only when the party’s crises became overwhelming — marked by leadership disputes, court battles, and operational paralysis — did he make the recent, considered move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
This was not political weather-vaning; it was a pragmatic decision by a legislator who refused to let party dysfunction paralyse his service to the people.
That decision has not dimmed his fire. If anything, it has sharpened his focus on what truly matters: delivery, accessibility, and inclusivity.
Today’s event exemplifies this perfectly. By organising a PVC registration, transfer, replacement, and collection drive during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise — and explicitly stating it is open to residents “irrespective of the party you will vote for” — Hon. Onuakalusi is practising the kind of politics that transcends partisanship.
In a country where many politicians weaponise voter registration for narrow party advantage, he is prioritising democratic participation itself.
A PVC is not a Labour, NDC, APC, or PDP card; it is every eligible Nigerian’s power. His framing reminds us that genuine representation begins with empowering citizens to exercise their franchise freely.
This is consistent with the broader pattern of his representation. As both analyst and constituent, I have observed that he remains the most active, visible, and interactive legislator the constituency has seen in recent cycles.
While others issue press statements from Abuja, Onuakalusi is on the ground — commissioning boreholes (including the new one at #9 Anser… Street, Ejigbo, and rehabilitating others in Isolo), pushing for lasting solutions to perennial flooding through the Ecological Fund Office, distributing desks, benches, and books to public schools, sponsoring youths for skill acquisition, organising women’s empowerment programmes, and facilitating employment opportunities for constituents.
These are not token gestures. They are sustainable, tangible interventions that address daily realities: water, education, youth unemployment, and flooding.
His legislative footprint — sponsoring bills on vocational training institutes, child rights, public accountability, and moving motions on critical national issues — complements this grassroots work.
The numerous awards he has received for exceptional service delivery, sustainable project execution, and constituent engagement are not decorative; they reflect peer and community recognition of consistent performance.
What makes Onuakalusi stand out in Nigeria’s often transactional political space is his refusal to let party label define his mandate. He was elected on the LP ticket, stayed loyal longer than most when it was costly to do so, moved when staying would have meant abandoning the people, and now operates with the same energy under a new platform. His politics is not about the colour of the flag but about the welfare of the people under it.
Today’s PVC drive at 10 Ganiyu Street is therefore more than logistics. It is a living demonstration of inclusive leadership.
It says to every resident of Ejigbo and the wider constituency: your voice matters more than any party card. Come, register or update your details, and let your PVC become your instrument of accountability — for whoever emerges as your representative in future elections.
In an era of defections driven by self-preservation and constituency neglect driven by party loyalty gone sour, Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi offers a refreshing alternative. He is active where it counts, principled in his choices, and inclusive in his approach. As a constituent, I am proud of this representation. As an analyst, I note it as a model worth emulating by others in the 10th National Assembly and beyond.
The journey to a better Oshodi-Isolo II and a stronger Nigeria indeed begins with empowered citizens. Today in Ejigbo, our Honourable Member is walking that talk — one PVC at a time.
-Pamela O.
