The time for change is now!
Already, the political landscape is coming to life with various moves and caprices of political gladiators as they get set to battle it out for the hearts and votes of the people with the coming of the general elections in 2023. For the people of Oyo North Senatorial District, it is a chance at the shot to change guard of its representation at the apex chambers of the National Assembly. And why not? A veritable replacement beckons at the horizon. Just like in the round leather game, the coaching crew wastes no time for a substitution when the change of tactic is needed.
A good alternative presents itself in the viable alternative of an enigma, a tested and trusted player in the person of the irrepressible Honourable Shina Abiola Peller, a man, who currently represents the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives.
Quite interestingly, Shina Peller’s ascension to this position tells you the kind of person he is and how he is revered. With rotation and zoning in place, his local government, Iseyin Ifesowapo did not deserve the seat he currently occupies. But because of his pedigree, there was no contention in allowing him contest in that election where he won impressively with a landslide.
But one can expect no less from the scion of the prominent family of the late veteran magician, Professor Moshood Abiola Peller, who in his lifetime was known even beyond the shores of Nigeria for his breakthrough in the field of magic. Only a man like Professor Peller could have fashioned a child who would possess similar acumen that would seek to outdo his father and bring renewed honour to the name. Born on May 14, 1976, Shina Peller displayed an unusual amount of precocity at a very tender age. There was no specialty to him as everything was fun and a challenge.
So, it is in this fledgling young politician of astute character and irrepressible personae that the people of Oyo North are looking up to occupy the seat of Senate. Interestingly, the senatorial district is made up of two zones, one has three local government areas while the other 10. But out of these, the incumbent’s area which boasts three LGAs have surprisingly not given him their votes twice as he lost at home, all the time he contested. This spurred Oke-Ogun’s desire to use its own son as replacement.
It is therefore, no surprise to Freelanews that they have turned their searchlight to Shina Peller, who hearkened to the desperate call and passionate appeal of his people to lead the Oke-Ogun geo-political zone in the war from political emancipation in the 2019 general elections, where he contested for House of Representatives seat of Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won.
Notable bills and motions
Beyond these, he has proved to be a man of the people who understands where the shoe pinches when it comes to his people and Nigerians in general. Some of the notable motions and bills he sponsored in the house proved these. Notable among motions and bills he has sponsored are: motion on the urgent need to investigate the unrest in Iseyin caused by the killing of indigenes by men of the Nigerian Customs Service; Bank Employees etc (Declaration of Assets)(Amendment)Bill 2021-which passed through first reading; motion on ecological degradation was moved after the incident of erosion that claimed two lives in Okeho on the 22nd of June, 2019 which will attract results from the ecological funds in 2020 budget implementation, and a petition was raised on the dilapidated roads of Iseyin/Oyo and Okeho/Iganna road. This is complemented by complementary underground work, which will attract results in 2021 budget.
Others include a motion on the need to tackle the scourge of rape and sexual offences in Nigeria. This has subsequently prompted the federal government to launch first ever National Sexual Offence Register in the country.
In his quest to address the poor state of primary health care service across the country, particularly at the grassroot, which is characterised by lack of healthcare facilities and inadequate manpower, Hon. Shina Peller moved a motion on the floor of the House praying that the House investigate the utilization of Basic Health Care Provision Fund made available by the federal government. The House granted his prayer and passed it on to the appropriate committee for investigation and further legislative actions.
A bill was also sponsored by him seeking amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act 2004. The bill was presented by him on 13th of February, 2020, and it has passed through first reading; he has a bill for an act to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Iseyin and it has passed through first reading; his bill for an act to amend the National Orientation Agency Act has also passed through first reading, and a his motion on the need to reinvigorate the National Orientation Agency for impactful discharge of its mandate was also adopted by the House.
His notable performance in delivering proper dividends of democracy and creating a proper channel of communication between him and his constituents has earned him multiple awards, such as the most Promising House of Representatives Member awarded to him by the Democracy Heroes Awards, the Peace Builder Award for Excellence in Community Development by Peace Achievers International Award.
Even without a political appointment, he had served them in ways so profound he received multiple commendations.
Though feelers out there has not shown clearly that Peller is going for the senate, it is clear from his posturing that he intends to keep to his word in bearing with his persona and integrity by not returning to the House of Reps as agreed before his elections. It is also clear that the people of the Oyo North Senatorial District will not miss the chance of having the tested and trusted young politician from Iseyin Ifesowapo represent them where it matters most for their development, proper representation and prosperity-the red chambers.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
