The lawmaker representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sanya Omirin, has revealed that his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by his determination to attract more federal projects and development to Ijesaland for the benefit of his constituents.
Hon. Omirin said aligning with the ruling party would enhance his ability to lobby for key initiatives, including the upgrade of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, to a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) — a bill that has now passed both chambers of the National Assembly and awaits presidential assent.
Expressing joy over the Senate’s concurrence to the bill, Omirin described it as “one of my proudest moments in office,” recalling how he personally initiated the process from the first to the third reading before it was transmitted to the Senate. “I was very excited, very happy the day the bill was concurred by the Senate because I started it from the first reading to the second reading before it was sent to the Senate for concurrence. Now that it has been approved, it only awaits the President’s assent,” he said.
The lawmaker urged all sons and daughters of Ijesaland to remain prayerful so that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would give prompt assent to the bill, noting that once signed, the FMC could begin operation almost immediately.
“We already have the structure in place; most of the staff and equipment used by Wesley Guild are available. Once the President assents, it will take off without delay,” Omirin assured.
He emphasized that the establishment of the FMC would bring enormous benefits to Ijesaland and neighbouring communities through job creation, economic expansion, and improved healthcare delivery.
“When the bill is signed, billions in federal allocations will begin to come into Ijesaland every year. It will create employment and boost the local economy, not just for Ilesa but for Osun State as a whole,” he stated.
Hon. Omirin also appreciated Senator Francis Fadahunsi for his unwavering support and commended the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, for their intervention and encouragement toward realizing the project.
According to him, the role of traditional and political leaders was crucial in ensuring the bill’s smooth passage, adding that time had overtaken all earlier challenges surrounding the Wesley Guild issue due to the monarch’s intervention.
On his defection, the lawmaker explained that his move to the APC was motivated by the need for effective collaboration with the Federal Government to secure more projects for Ijesaland. “If I am not mistaken, the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre is one of the major reasons that attracted my migration from PDP to APC. We need federal presence in Ijesaland, and we cannot be in opposition for this to work,” he said.
Hon. Omirin called on all Ijesa sons and daughters to remain united and to support President Tinubu’s administration, noting that “collective effort and political cooperation are essential for lasting development in Ijesaland.”
Leave a Reply