The Road To Oke Mosan Is Paved With Broken Promises

“For Iyabo Obasanjo, the road to the Government House in Oke Mosan runs through the memories of the people she hopes to lead, and those memories may prove harder to navigate than any flooded road”

By Festus Akanbi

When the rains fall along Akute -Lambe Road, the quiet that follows is heavy with worry. It is the uneasy silence of residents watching floodwater creep toward their homes, of traders wondering how long their businesses can survive another season of mud and traffic, and of schoolchildren carefully navigating pools of dirty water on their way to class. For communities in Akute, Lambe, Oke-Aro, Agbado, and Ope Ilu, this had become an all-too-familiar reality until the ongoing intervention by the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun.

It is in this environment that Iyabo Obasanjo has announced her ambition to govern Ogun State. Her case rests on three arguments: her constitutional right to run, the humanitarian work of the Iyanuwura Foundation, and a promise to finally address the troubled Lagos–Ogun corridor. Yet for many residents, these claims raise difficult questions about accountability and timing.

No one disputes the right of any citizen to contest an election. That right is the bedrock of democracy. But voters are often less concerned about the legality of a candidacy than about what a candidate did with earlier opportunities. Between 2007 and 2011, Obasanjo represented Ogun Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate. The roads, flooding, and infrastructure failures along the Agbado–Akute axis were already problems then. Supporters argue that senators do not build roads. That is true, but the office still carries influence, the ability to advocate strongly, attract federal attention, and push for development. Many residents wonder whether enough of that influence was used when it mattered.

Her supporters also highlight the Iyanuwura Foundation’s charitable work. Philanthropy certainly brings relief to struggling communities, and such efforts deserve recognition. Yet charity and governance serve different purposes. Charity treats the symptoms of hardship, while governance should address the causes. When philanthropic work becomes the central evidence of readiness for political leadership, some voters question whether compassion alone can substitute for administrative capacity.

The Lagos–Ogun corridor illustrates the broader problem. The region, linking Ogun State to Lagos’ economic energy, has long been recognised as a critical gateway. Yet the infrastructure has failed to keep pace with rapid population growth. Roads remain narrow, drainage systems are inadequate, and development is largely uncoordinated. For residents, political attention often appears only during campaign seasons.

Iyabo Obasanjo’s current proposals, deploying road crews, involving youth in infrastructure projects, and encouraging community participation, sound sensible. But they are also familiar. Nigerian voters have heard similar promises from many candidates over the years, often with little to show afterward.

Timing adds another layer to the debate. After more than a decade away from elective politics, her decision to pursue the governorship has sparked speculation about motive. Some see a genuine desire to serve. Others view it as an attempt to extend the influence of the political legacy associated with her father, Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria.

Ultimately, the verdict will rest with the voters. The communities along Akute Road do not need elaborate speeches about dignity and inclusion. They want proof that past shortcomings have been recognised and that future promises will be matched by action.

When the next election arrives, the quiet that hangs over these flood-prone streets will give way to a decision. For Iyabo Obasanjo, the road to the Government House in Oke Mosan runs through the memories of the people she hopes to lead, and those memories may prove harder to navigate than any flooded road.