Osun lawmaker faces recall as constituents express discontent

Rabiu Atanda, the lawmaker representing Iwo State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, is facing increasing pressure from his constituents who have threatened to initiate a recall over allegations of poor representation.

In an open letter signed by Ayo-Akano Ayokunmi on behalf of the Iwoland Indigenes Council, the group expressed dissatisfaction with Atanda’s performance since his election.

The letter accused the lawmaker of being largely inactive in the House of Assembly.

The Council also alleged that he was yet to sponsor any bills or motions.

The council also criticised Atanda for failing to establish a Constituency Office in Iwo, making it difficult for constituents to communicate with him or provide feedback.

"While acknowledging that leadership is a Herculean task, we have also observed keenly that since your inauguration in June 2023, not only have you been silent on the floor of the House, but you have also refused to open a constituency office, nor have you made public the people you have chosen to work with, which is supposed to provide a platform for your people to reach out to you.

“It is also sad to note that we have checked around Iwo and cannot point to a single project you have embarked upon or even influenced by virtue of your position as a lawmaker. In July 2024, it was observed that your ‘supposed’ media team shared on Facebook that you inaugurated two offices to be built at Oluwo and Kara market. We wish to ask about the state of these offices, as your team noted that they were to be completed in three months.

“We also note that you have not sponsored any bill or raised any motion on the floor of the House, particularly regarding the state of road networks within Iwo and the deplorable condition of the Osogbo-Iwo Road, which has long been a campaign model for political office holders.

“As a member of the House, you have also failed to provide feedback to the people you are representing, whether on TV, radio, or even social media platforms. We sincerely hope that actions will be taken on the few points we have raised here, and we will not have to write to you again, when we may be calling on the people of Iwo to initiate the process of recalling you as a member of the house,” the group said.

In response, Atanda dismissed the allegations, arguing that it is too early to judge his performance. In a statement, the lawmaker outlined some of his achievements, including the opening of a Constituency Office in Iwo and efforts to address constituent issues.

"In a nutshell, our constituency office was sited along D. C. School, Olukotun Iwo, in which many issues have been addressed and solved to the best of my ability. However, you made mention of the Osogbo-Iwo Road, it has been brought to the notice of the governor and the matter has been addressed on the floor of the House.

“The information I had was that the said road had been awarded to Peculiar (Consult) during the past administration and Peculiar has been invited about two times.

“Two offices were inaugurated and bricklayers commenced work immediately. By the special grace of God, they will be inaugurated in three months’ time, as I promised.

“Then, on skill acquisition and youth empowerment programme, I want to use this medium to inform you all of our free holiday classes for SS1, SS2 and SS3 students then, free WAEC registration for the best students, etc", he said.