Eight Years In Office: Why The Question ‘KÍNI NKAN TÍ Ó ṢE FÚN WA?’ Still Haunts Yemi Alli
By Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin
In Mushin Constituency 1, one question continues to feature prominently in political conversations: “Kíni nkan tí ó ṣe fún wa?” What has he done for us?
For Hon. Adeyemi Alli, the member representing Mushin Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives, the question carries significant political weight as he seeks a third consecutive term after eight years in the National Assembly.
Although his party has endorsed him as its preferred candidate, securing another mandate requires more than political backing. It demands public confidence, a demonstrable record of representation and the ability to convince constituents that their votes have translated into tangible benefits.
But does the recurring question reflect an absence of performance or a failure to communicate what has been achieved? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere between the two.
Eight Years, But What Is The Scorecard?
It would be inaccurate to suggest that Hon. Alli has spent eight years in office without constituency interventions. His reported scorecard covers education, healthcare, youth development, economic empowerment, employment and infrastructure.
In education, his interventions include the annual distribution of free JAMB forms, holiday coaching for secondary school students, and the Mushin 1 Educational Outreach Project, which provides textbooks and notebooks to government schools. Other initiatives include free school bags for SS2 students and modern ICT centres at Ilupeju Junior Grammar School and Ilupeju Senior Secondary School.
In healthcare, his scorecard lists a 40-bed hospital at Awolowo Market, alongside sickbays and mini ambulances for students at Ojuwoye Inclusive School, Damengoro, and Ajenifuja Primary School, Ilupeju.
Youth development and economic empowerment feature through entrepreneurial training, vocational support and sporting activities. Under the Super Economic Empowerment Programme, beneficiaries have reportedly received sewing machines, grinding machines, barbing and hairdressing equipment, Keke Marwa, vulcanising machines, freezers and generator sets.
Financial assistance includes reported grants of ₦20,000 to more than 1,000 beneficiaries under the Owo Yemi initiative and ₦50,000 to over 300 others. Social welfare interventions include an annual feeding programme for elderly residents and food distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On infrastructure, the scorecard identifies solar-powered streetlights across more than 100 streets, as well as road and drainage projects along Arikewuyo Street, Fagbile Street, Mumuni Street and Akinboro Lane.
School construction projects are also listed across Bereola, Shokunbi, Odi-Olowo, Nusaraudeen, Shyllon, Muslim Mission and Ojuwoye Primary Schools, with the Ojuwoye project reportedly still ongoing.
These interventions present a broad range of constituency activities. However, their scale, completion status and impact require proper documentation and independent verification.
The question remains: how much of this record is actually known to the people it is meant to serve?
Beyond Projects: His Legislative Contributions
Representation in the House of Representatives extends beyond attracting projects and distributing empowerment materials. It also involves raising public concerns, initiating legislative interventions and influencing policies.
Hon. Alli’s reported parliamentary record includes motions addressing three important issues: an investigation into Nigerian Police Pension Limited over alleged failures to meet pension gratuity obligations; measures to improve the productivity of Nigerian artisans; and efforts to prevent the collapse of industrial hubs, using the Ilupeju Industrial Area as a case study.
These issues touch on workers’ welfare, vocational development and industrial sustainability, all relevant to the economic interests of his constituency and the wider country.
However, legislative performance should also be assessed through the progress and outcomes of such interventions, including government responses and any resulting policy changes.
A representative’s scorecard must therefore reflect both the projects delivered and the issues pursued in the National Assembly.
Employment And Youth Opportunities
Employment facilitation is another area highlighted in his constituency record. His office reportedly facilitated opportunities for young people in institutions including LASTMA, KAI, NAMA, FAAN, the Nigerian Military, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
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For a constituency with a sizeable youth population, access to employment is an important measure of representation.
However, the number of beneficiaries, their places of employment and the nature of the opportunities should be clearly documented. Young people want opportunities, but they also deserve to know how their representative is helping them access sustainable livelihoods.
The Missing Link: Performance Without Effective Communication
This is perhaps the most critical aspect of the conversation surrounding Hon. Alli’s representation.
A public officeholder may have an extensive record of interventions, but when those activities are poorly documented, inconsistently publicised or inaccessible to constituents, a gap emerges between performance and public perception.
There appears to be considerable room for improvement in the media and public relations structure surrounding Hon. Alli. His reported interventions have not consistently translated into a sustained public narrative that enables residents to understand and assess the work of his office.
Public relations is not about manufacturing achievements or exaggerating performance. It is about presenting genuine results through facts, evidence and accessible information.
How many students have benefited from the JAMB initiative over eight years? How many artisans have received equipment? How many young people have secured employment? How many streets have functional solar-powered lights? What is the completion status of the hospital and school projects?
These are essential questions that a properly organised media team should be able to answer with figures, photographs, project updates and credible beneficiary testimonies.
Constituents should not have to depend on campaign conversations or political rumours to understand what their representative has done.
The People’s Question Is An Opportunity
The recurring question, “Kíni nkan tí ó ṣe fún wa?” should not automatically be dismissed as political opposition or an attempt to discredit existing achievements. It should be treated as an opportunity to reconnect with the electorate.
Eight years in public office creates legitimate expectations. Constituents want results, accessible representation and evidence that their mandate has been put to meaningful use.
This requires regular town hall meetings, community consultations, ward-level engagement and accessible feedback channels.
Hon. Alli’s office should also publish a comprehensive eight-year performance report covering legislative activities, constituency projects, education, healthcare, empowerment, employment and infrastructure. It should distinguish completed projects from ongoing and proposed ones, identify outstanding commitments and provide verifiable evidence.
Such information must reach residents beyond social media through community radio, local newspapers, schools, community associations and grassroots platforms.
A Third Term Requires A Stronger Case
The ambition to return to the House of Representatives for a third consecutive term presents an opportunity for Hon. Alli to explain his record, address public concerns and demonstrate the value of his previous representation.
Party endorsement is an important political development, but it does not automatically translate into public acceptance. The electorate needs sufficient information to assess the quality of representation they have received.
Political communication must therefore be a continuous responsibility, not an activity reserved for election periods. His media team needs a more proactive, evidence-driven approach, while his constituency office must remain accessible and responsive.
Ultimately, the question remains: “Kíni nkan tí ó ṣe fún wa?”
The answer should not be a slogan or a collection of unsubstantiated claims. It should come through completed projects, measurable outcomes, credible beneficiary experiences, legislative records and sustained engagement with constituents.
Eight years is sufficient time to build a record. The responsibility is to make that record visible, open it to public scrutiny and allow the electorate to determine its value.
Because in public service, performance matters. Accountability matters. And effective communication makes both visible.
Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin is a Strategic Communications and Public Relations Practitioner, public speaker, media professional and youth development advocate. He is the co-author of CP Jimoh: The Art of Policing Lagos. His interests include leadership, peacebuilding, strategic communication and youth development.
He writes via: [email protected]
