Hon. Bimbo Daramola – The “Congressman” Who Never Left Oye/Ikole
Let’s talk about a man people in Oye and Ikole still call “Congressman” 10 years after he left Abuja. That’s not a nickname you get for showing up. You earn it.
1. His 2011–2015 Run: One Term, Loud Impact*
Bimbo Daramola walked into the 7th House of Reps in 2011 as a first-timer from Oye/Ikole. He didn’t sit quietly.
*On the floor, he was that guy asking the uncomfortable questions:*
– June 2011: Warned Nigeria about Boko Haram and pushed for a Department of Homeland Security when most leaders were still calling it “a northern problem.”
– Oct 2011: Dragged the N30bn National ID Card mess into the spotlight.
– Feb 2012: Fought airlines over how they treat Nigerians. If you’ve ever been stranded at MMIA, thank him for starting that conversation.
– Mar 2012: Demanded a full audit of Nigeria-South Africa relations beyond visa fights.
– 2012-2013: Sponsored the _Disaster Location Protection Act_ and amended the NEMA law. Took on AMCON over N140.9bn Zenon/Forte Oil debts. Queried Bank of Industry’s use of intervention funds.
– The people’s motions: Fought “Operation Velvet” – that tinted-glass police extortion. Opposed deploying 3,500 soldiers to Edo for elections. Chaired the FCT land probe when land grabbing was hot.
He wasn’t a “yes sir” Rep. He was the one constituents could point to on NTA and say, “That’s our man.”
2. Abomire: What He Left on Ground in Oye/Ikole*
He called his stewardship _Abomire_ – “my children will ask me.” And 10 years later, the receipts are still there across all 24 wards:
– A 32-Bed W.H.O Standard Hospital built with his personal money. Not constituency budget. He handed it to Ekiti State. Women in Ikole still say it’s why fewer babies die during labour now.
– Abomire 2 Empowerment, Aug 2013: This wasn’t rice and wrapper politics. Think 2 luxury buses, 18 cars, 42 plasma TVs, 24 generators, 12 vulcanizing machines, 12 deep freezers, 12 motorcycles, sewing machines, dryers, farm sprayers – shared across party lines.
– For the young people: 200+ laptops, 100+ motorcycles, 70-seater buses, 18-seater buses plying Oye/Ikole routes, 48 SUVs, 38 tricycles. He helped 74 sons and daughters get federal jobs.
– School runs: 2,050 JAMB forms 2017-2018 alone, plus ∼1,000 before. Paid school fees. Cleared hospital bills. Sponsored weddings. Sent people to Mecca and Jerusalem.
– Small money, big difference: N25,000 each to 48 youths to start business. Stipends for 40 widows and senior citizens.
A market woman in Oye once put it plain: _“In 3 and half years, Congressman do wetin some people no do in 8 years.”
3. After 2015: He Didn’t Japa From Politics*
Most people lose election and disappear. Bimbo lost in 2015 when PDP swept Ekiti, but he stayed.
– 2014: He was DG for His Excellency Kayode Fayemi’s governorship campaign. Ran the whole 16-LGA war room when APC was fighting to survive.
– BAO WALK: He built it from scratch. Today it’s one of APC’s biggest grassroots machines in Ekiti – thousands show up monthly for fitness and Governor Biodun Oyebanji
– Party backbone: 2015-2018, when APC was opposition in Ekiti, he was one of the faces keeping Ekiti North together.
– Still fighting for Ekiti: Pushing for a museum and economy around Ogun Grove in Ire-Ekiti.
4. Before Politics: Scientist, Banker, Storyteller
He wasn’t born into politics. University of Ilorin, 1995. Banking with Savannah Bank. Then he co-founded Rucie Communications and produced From Prison to Presidency – OBJ’s documentary. That’s why his motions had data and his projects had structure. Scientist brain, street heart.
Network: 4 years in the House gave him direct lines to Ministers, DGs, donors, and diaspora. He now runs One United Africa
The Human Summary:
Bimbo Daramola did one term and gave Oye/Ikole a hospital, buses, jobs, JAMB forms, and a voice that shook Abuja. He lost his seat but didn’t lose the streets. From BAO WALK to FCT land probes, he’s still in the fight.
That’s why, 10 years later, they don’t call him “former Honourable.”
They call him Congressman.
