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As the race for the Ondo South Senatorial District seat gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, human rights activist and legal practitioner, Ige Asemudara, says the district needs more than a senator who occupies a seat at the National Assembly; it needs a credible voice capable of defending its people, protecting their resources and holding those in power accountable.
The Labour Party candidate, who brings more than two decades of legal practice and civil society advocacy to the contest, believes Ondo South has suffered for too long from poor representation, environmental degradation, disputed boundaries and the failure to translate its vast natural and agricultural resources into prosperity for its people.
Asemudara argues that the district’s challenges demand a senator prepared to combine legislative competence with sustained advocacy and effective oversight.
In this interview, Asemudara speaks on why he is seeking the mandate of Ondo South, what distinguishes him from previous representatives, his plans for the district’s first 100 days under his watch and the measurable outcomes he hopes to deliver if elected.
He also outlines his vision for ensuring that the district’s natural wealth translates into jobs, environmental protection and tangible benefits for its people.
Why are you seeking to represent Ondo South in the Senate?
I am seeking to represent Ondo South at the Senate because of the urgent need to give our people in the district, a worthy presence, a credible voice and a discerning mind at the Senate. There is a need to join hand to build Nigeria of our dreams where no district is shortchanged, where the wishes and aspirations of the greatest mumber of Nigerians are actualised. Nigerians are generally suffering. Ondo South people are hard hit by numerous sufferings occassioned by the abscence of credible, competent and selfless representatives. I am here to give our people that credible and worthy representation at the Red Chambers.
What specific experience qualifies you for the Senate?
First, you must remember that I am a lawyer and I have been here at the bar for upward of twenty years. I have practised in all courts and tribunals and involved in various cases of different shades. Apart from litigation, I have been involved in law reviews and putting together many government policies. I have been in the civil society contributing my quota. The National Assembly is essentially about law making. My two decades of robust legal practice will come handy in discharging my responsibilities at the Senate to my people of Ondo South and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
My civil society experience will be very useful in oversight functions. In the course of my practice as a lawyer I have contributed locally, nationally and internationally to policy formulations and reviews. I can give examples. Since 2013 I began to contribute to the World Bank and International Finance Corporation’s Doing Business Index. I had contributed to the World Justice Project. I had contributed to policies in my state. So, when I see bad ones I know them. I will use this mandate to ensure that only people-centric legislations and policies are made.
From my student days at OAU, Ile-Ife, I had been involved in representation at the Students Representatives Council and I did it so well that Ife students voted me in twice. When I mentioned civil society experience, it all started at the university where I coordinated Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and was in charge of the publicity of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and as a practising lawyer, I co-founded Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria (MAIN) with my wife who is also a lawyer.
In this 11th Assembly, our constituents are also going to be empowered. We will pursue a policy of empowerment through employment.The youths are going to experience the kind of leadership they had never seen before. Women inclusion will also be paramount. We will engender genuine change.
What do you believe are the three biggest problems facing Ondo South today?
First, there is so much gap between the leaders and the led. That breeds communication gap and causes dysfunctionality in many respects. Second, the process of recruiting leadership in the district like in Nigeria generally is embarrassing. Today, I am the most popular and most accepted candidates among all that the political parties put forward and I will win the election. If I had been in any of the two political parties that had milked Nigeria dry, the primary election would have been heavily monetised and manipulated. That kind of system cannot produce a good leader. With a credible platform like the Labour Party, you will see the quality of representation we will give.
Yet, there are still other major problems like the encroachement into our land from Ogun and Delta States. The oil-rich Eba Island belongs to the Atijere, Mahin people of Ilaje, Ondo South. Odun Ebighan belongs to Ugbo people, Ilaje Ondo South. We are having problems of encroachment and deliberate boundary erosion because our leaders have gone to bed. So, we need alternatives.
Do I mention the sea-incursion in Ayetoro and other Ilaje Communities? I had been very instrumental to moving authorities to act in the past and still calling government to return to solve that problem.
What about the bitumen resources in the district. Ondo South arguably has all the bitumen deposits in Nigeria and it is the second largest in Nigeria. It is sitting there docile. Attempts were made in the past to mine it but we resisted it because the people, the customary land owners, the host communities were not carried along. We will address all of this problems.
The cocoa farmers in Odigbo, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and the oil palm and rubber farmers in Ikaleland and some parts of Ese-Odo do not get the right incentives. Our oil palm seedlings have grown the Malaysian farms, our cocoa has enriched the Netherlands yet our farmers are suffering. We will bring the formula that changes the narratives.
What will you do differently from previous representatives?
Yes, I will always consult widely. Any man who represents others and lean unto his own understanding alone is a misfit. We will use the wisdom of all.
I am going to be elected on the platform of the Labour Party. We will do what opposition should do; embrace what is right, reject what is wrong. We will lift the banner of truth.
What should constituents expect from you during your first 100 days in office?
This looks like a Nigerian political question. For the National Assembly, we take it one step at a time. It is as events unfold. We will deliver in accordance with what is before us.
What is your position on the environmental degradation affecting oil-producing communities in Ilaje?
My position has always been very public and reported in several media. Ilaje is facing so many environmental challenges. From oil spillage to sea-incursion, to waste and refuse deposition on our shores, Ilaje has suffered greatly. We will sponsor bills where necessary, lobby where necessary and fight where it is inevitable. Any how, our people must live in a healthy environment. I will deliver this to them.
Ondo South has a large population of young people. What is your concrete plan for youth employment?
Youths are at the centre of our programme in Labour Party. I am a youth myself. I am in my forties. We will ensure youths are employed. We will expose them to training and retraining. We already have plans for mentorship programmes that will grow the youths through intership and other mentorship models.
Importantly, youths will take advantage of the MSMEs opportunities. We will empower them to start and grow their businesses.
How should Ondo South benefit from its oil and gas resources?
The constitution prescribes 13%. It is too little, too unfair. Then, we have to wrestle with greedy and avaricious politicians.The starting point is to fight to plug all holes either at the state or at the federal level so that the benefits of the oil-money gets to the people. The second thing is to sponsor a bill for the increase of the derivation percentage from 13% to a minimum of 25% which the national confab had prescribed.
How will you ensure host communities receive tangible benefits from natural resources?
Part of the works of the national assembly is oversight. We will put eagle eyes on the resources and the distribution of benefits. The Petroleum Industry Act has now provided for the Host Communities Trust Fund. A critical part of the problem is how to determine the 3% annual expenditure component that should be earmarked for the host communities. We will ensure that those oil companies operating on our land are transparent with their budget especially the expenditure component so that the host communities are not short changed. Currently, I act as a lawyer to the Urhobo traditional rulers on oil and gas related matters and to some host communities in Delta state, I know what the issues are. I will address them so that our people are not cheated any longer.
If elected, what are the five measurable things you want the people of Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Okitipupa, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo to be able to point to at the end of your tenure?
First, I am going to intervene in the matter relating to our boundary erosion and encroachment from Ogun and Delta so that we can take benefit of our oil. Second, I am going to develop a people-centred framework for the management of our bitumen in such a way that the host communities take the best benefits of it. Third, I am going to engage the Federal Government on agricultural subsidies for our various farmers: cocoa, rubber, oil palm, cassava etc. I will engage FAO and ADB for support too. We will also subject every seedling or fertilizer to proper scientific screening. We will deliver on agriculture. We will interrogate the budget on agriculture to ensure our farmers are properly captured. Fourthly, we will pursue a programme that will empower and resposition our youth. I said this before. The youth is our strength, we will re-energise them. Fifthly, women inclusion is key. We will do beyond the affirmative action recommended by the Banjul convention or the National Gender Policy. We are targeting at least 40% for women in our empowerment programmes and other things that we will deliver to Ondo South Senatorial District.
