Osun PDP Rep Member, Oluwole Oke Criticize Gov Adeleke for Neglecting His Constituency Needs Amid Party Turmoil
By Oluwole Oke
The people of Ijesa North are not fools, and we should not be treated as such. Over the years, our community has consistently supported various leaders, regardless of their party affiliation, yet we find ourselves sidelined in the allocation of resources and positions of influence.
Let me remind you:
We voted for Chief Bisi Akande, even though I wasn’t part of his AD party, and he responded by fixing our roads through the Nigerian Army Company in Ede.
We voted for Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (PDP), who established Osun State University and even gave us a campus in Ipetu Ijesa.
Presidents Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan approved significant projects for our region, including the Armed Forces Games Village and the Air Safety Training Institute in Ipetu Ijesa—yet these remain incomplete.
Under Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Bola Ige Mec Institute was established in Esa Oke, and a son of Esa Oke was appointed to the Board of its Governing Council. Governor Gboyega Oyetola continued that legacy, appointing sons and daughters of Esa Oke into key roles across various sectors.
Despite all these efforts, the current reality is disheartening. As a member of the House of Representatives, I fought tirelessly in competitive elections and various courts to represent our people. However, after two years under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, what can I point to for my constituents in Obokun and Oriade? A mere 1.5 km of road improvement in both LGAs. This is far from what we deserve.
I also requested that, as a matter of convention, an indigene of Esa Oke be appointed to the Governing Council of OSCOTECH to strengthen the relationship between the institution and our community. Yet, this request was ignored.
Ipetu Ijesa, with its 54 villages and over 10,000 voters, holds the key to any election in the region. Yet, no son or daughter from Ipetu Ijesa holds any significant position in this government. Meanwhile, some members of our community expect me to remain silent.
To the young, upcoming politicians who are currently serving as yes-men to Governor Adeleke, I feel sorry for you. You don’t know the people of Ijesa North as well as I do. When the time comes, they will speak, and it will be loud.
Governor Adeleke still has time to make things right before it’s too late. I urge him to listen to Elder Sunday Bisi, our Party Chairman, who understands Ijesa like no other. He is a son of the soil, and his insights should not be ignored.
I’ve won elections five times with the support of my people. It would be a great disservice for me to remain silent now. I’ve spoken to my younger brother, Ibukun Fadipe (Chairman of SUBEB), and to Chief of Staff Teslim Igbalaye about these concerns, but nothing changed. I will not keep quiet. We will continue to demand what is rightfully ours.
It is time for Ijesa North to get the representation and recognition we deserve. No more empty promises. We will speak, and we will be heard.
Oluwole Oke
Member, House of Representatives, Osun State
