Has Dr. John Abisoye Adisa-Oke’s elective ambition ‘died’? || Sunday Adepoju
pannigeriannews
3 min read
By Sunday Adepoju
Politics, like life itself, is rarely a straight road. It bends, stalls, and, sometimes, goes silent…only to roar back when least expected. This reality frames one of the lingering questions in Ogbomoso’s political space: Has Dr. John Abisoye Adisa-Oke truly stepped away from elective ambition, or is he merely navigating a strategic pause?
In the build-up to the 2019 general elections, Adisa-Oke was not just another aspirant; he was a force. Contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal Constituency, he energised the political landscape with vigorous campaigns that resonated from ward to broader constituency engagements. Even within the intense dynamics of intra-party politics, his presence was unmistakable.
Yet, as the story often goes in Nigerian politics, ambition does not always translate to ticket. He fell short at the primaries.
That loss, however, did not erase the momentum he had built. Many political observers at the time believed that Adisa-Oke would recalibrate, perhaps by narrowing his focus to the Ogbomoso North State Constituency, where his grassroots appeal seemed particularly formidable. That expectation, interestingly, has not materialised in any visible or decisive manner.
A Prince of the Alasa royal dynasty in Ogbomoso North, Adisa-Oke’s profile extends beyond politics. Armed with a Ph.D., he represents a blend of intellectual depth and grassroots connection, an uncommon but potent combination in local politics. His philanthropic footprint, especially in scholarships and empowerment initiatives running into millions of naira, further cemented his reputation as a man invested in people, not just power.
Today, he serves as a Board Member of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), a role that signals relevance within governance, albeit outside the ballot box. For some, this appointment is a mark of recognition; for others, it is evidence of a gradual retreat from elective politics.
But is it?
History casts a long shadow here. His late father, Chief Isaiah Kolawole Oke, was not only a successful businessman but a pioneering educationist and a symbol of resilience. From establishing the first private secondary boarding school in Ogbomoso in 1995 to founding the Best Legacy College of Education in 2007, an institution that has produced thousands of graduates, his legacy is deeply etched in the sands of Ogbomoso’s development.
More importantly, late Oke was himself a political actor. The echoes of the “Oke for Rep” mantra still linger in the memories of many, even though his own ambition did not culminate in electoral victory. That unfinished political journey now raises a poignant question: will the son carry the torch forward or quietly let it fade?
There is no denying that the political terrain has shifted since 2019. New actors have emerged within the PDP and across other parties, recalibrating alliances and altering the balance of influence. In such an environment, maintaining relevance requires not just popularity but strategic positioning.
Some observers argue that Adisa-Oke’s grassroots support has waned, perhaps as a consequence of his reduced visibility in electoral contests. Others counter that political capital, once built genuinely, does not evaporate overnight, it lies dormant, waiting for the right moment to be reactivated.
The truth may lie somewhere in between.
What remains unclear is whether Adisa-Oke’s current silence signals contentment with appointed office or a calculated withdrawal ahead of a future political re-entry. Nigerian politics is replete with examples of figures who stepped back, regrouped, and returned stronger.
So, has his ambition died? It would be premature to draw that conclusion.
A more fitting question might be: what form will it take next? For a man with his pedigree rooted in legacy, strengthened by education, and tested in the grassroots politics, the story is unlikely to end in quiet resignation. Whether through elective office or continued influence behind the scenes, Dr. John Abisoye Adisa-Oke remains a name that cannot be easily written out of Ogbomoso’s political equation.
In politics, silence is not always absence. Sometimes, it is strategy.
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