The empowerment programme recently announced by the Senator representing Ondo Central, Barr. Niyi Adegbonmire, has erupted into a full-blown controversy, with furious constituents accusing the lawmaker of deception, selective empowerment, and political punishment disguised as benevolence.
Initially publicised as a community-wide, non-partisan empowerment initiative, the programme was expected to benefit a broad section of the constituency, including members of the opposition. But according to multiple eyewitness accounts, the reality was a stark contrast, only a small, handpicked group allegedly benefited.
“We were fooled,” aggrieved constituents say
Several constituents who attended the event said they felt used, deceived, and insulted. One attendee, who preferred not to be named, did not mince words:
“They called us from all corners of Ondo Central, telling us it was for everyone. We got there and realised the list had been doctored. We were fooled.”
Another visibly angry party member compared the senator’s actions to “political wickedness,” saying:
“If this is his definition of leadership, then it is shameful. You cannot preach inclusiveness in the media and practise political apartheid in private.”
Names allegedly removed over ‘insufficient loyalty’
Reports indicate that several individuals originally cleared as beneficiaries were later struck out. A close aide to the senator, speaking under anonymity, is said to have confirmed that last-minute directives came from “above,” targeting individuals tagged as “doubting followers.”
The aide allegedly said:
“The senator said loyalty must be total. Anyone who is not fully aligned cannot enjoy the empowerment.”
The comment has enraged party members who say the senator has now divided the constituency into “the saintly loyal” and “the condemned doubtful.”
“This is betrayal of trust” Ward 9 Party Member
Akinwande Gbenga, a party member from Ward 9 in Ondo West LGA and one of those allegedly removed from the list, described the event as a betrayal:
“I respected him. I believed in his leadership. But what happened that day was an embarrassment. It was not empowerment, it was punishment for imagined offences.”
He added that the senator’s decision may haunt him politically:
“The people he sidelined are not fools. He may think he has power now, but power is temporary. The same people he disappointed today will speak with their votes tomorrow.”
A quiet but dangerous anger spreading
While some stormed out angrily, others left quietly, according to them, leaving the matter to God. But even among the silent ones, frustration is simmering.
One elderly constituent lamented:
“If a leader begins empowerment with division, what will he end with? God will judge all of us according to our works.”
Attempts to contact the Senator unsuccessful
Efforts to reach Senator Adegbonmire through his verified mobile line have been unsuccessful. As of press time, no official statement has been issued by his media team or constituency office.
Public waiting for answers
With public outrage spreading across wards and party lines, many constituents insist the senator must address the allegations directly, rather than allow rumours and anger to fester.
A political observer in Ondo Central summarized the situation bluntly:
“This was supposed to be empowerment. Instead, it has empowered resentment.”