SSGMM Urges Ovia Electorate To Demand Accountability, Scrutinise Representatives’ Records
The South-South Grassroots Mobilisations Movement (SSGMM) has called on the people of Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West in Edo State to critically assess the performance of their political representatives and demand greater accountability, transparency and responsible leadership.
The movement, through its Office of the Secretary, said the political future of Ovia should be determined by the collective interests of its people rather than political sentiments, personal affiliations, family names or repeated campaign promises.
In a statement titled “Ovia’s Political Future: The Imperative of Accountability, Performance and Responsible Leadership,” the SSGMM maintained that public office is a responsibility that requires elected representatives to demonstrate measurable achievements and remain answerable to the electorate.
The movement specifically called for an objective assessment of Hon. Omosede Igbinedion’s record of representation in the House of Representatives, urging constituents to examine her legislative contributions, constituency development initiatives, infrastructure advocacy, youth empowerment efforts and response to the needs of the people.
It stressed that residents of Ovia have the democratic right to demand evidence of fulfilled promises and identifiable improvements in their communities.
According to the movement, questions surrounding political performance should be addressed through documented evidence and verifiable achievements rather than political slogans, personal attacks or unsubstantiated assumptions.
The SSGMM identified roads, electricity, potable water, quality education, accessible healthcare, employment opportunities and support for agriculture and small businesses as critical priorities requiring sustained attention from political representatives.
It urged constituents to assess their representatives based on the clarity of their development plans, their engagement with communities and the tangible progress recorded in addressing local challenges.
The movement further maintained that where campaign promises remain unfulfilled, the electorate deserves transparent explanations, while information about public projects, including their funding, implementation and completion, should be accessible to the people.
On the forthcoming electoral contests, the SSGMM cautioned against treating political representation as an automatic or permanent entitlement, insisting that no politician should be exempt from public scrutiny because of personal connections, political background or party affiliation.
It urged voters to compare the records, integrity, policy proposals and development plans of candidates before making electoral decisions, adding that previous service should be assessed alongside current commitments and credible strategies for addressing outstanding constituency needs.
The movement also called on community leaders, youths, women, farmers, traders, professionals and civil society organisations to participate actively in discussions about the quality of political representation in Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West.
It emphasised the need for evidence-based political evaluation, grassroots consultation, transparent leadership and measurable development outcomes, noting that these principles are essential to strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.
“Our position is clear: the interests of Ovia must always come before the ambitions of individual politicians,” the statement said, stressing that public confidence must be earned through accountable service and a demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the people.
The SSGMM urged all political actors seeking the support of Ovia's electorate to present credible records of their contributions and articulate practical, realistic plans for addressing the needs of their constituents.
It maintained that the people of Ovia deserve a political environment where leadership is measured by service, public resources are properly accounted for and campaign promises are evaluated against verifiable outcomes.
The movement concluded by affirming that the future of Ovia belongs to its people and that their democratic choices should be informed by facts, guided by developmental priorities and exercised freely and peacefully.
