A crisis appears to be simmering within the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives for Ijesa North Federal Constituency, has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of neglecting the Ijesa people......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Oke, who serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is a fifth-term lawmaker under the PDP, alleged that Adeleke has abandoned the Ijesa North region since his victory in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
In a Facebook post titled “Ijesa North People Are Not Stupid” on Sunday evening, Oke outlined previous contributions to the region by past administrations.
He praised the efforts of Chief Bisi Akande of the Alliance for Democracy (now APC) for fixing roads and Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration for establishing a university.
He also highlighted federal projects approved during the presidencies of Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, including the Armed Forces Games Village and the Armed Forces Physical Education Institute in Esa Oke, as well as the Air Safety Training Institute in Ipetu Ijesa.
Oke commended former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola for projects like the Bola Ige Mechatronics Institute in Esa Oke and strategic appointments of Ijesa natives to key roles.
However, Oke criticized Governor Adeleke’s administration, claiming that its only visible impact in his constituency (comprising Obokun and Oriade local governments) was a 1.5-kilometer road in each area.
He accused the governor of neglecting the region in terms of development and appointments.
He further warned of the electoral significance of Ipetu Ijesa, stating that its 54 villages with over 10,000 votes are critical to winning any election in the state.
“No son or daughter of that community holds any prominent position in our government, yet some of our members want me to keep quiet.
“For our upcoming young politicians who are playing eye service to HE Gov Ademola Adeleke, I pity you. Ijesa North people will speak and they will speak louder at the appropriate time. You don’t know them as much as I do. You all met me here.”
He advised that Adeleke has more time to correct his style of governance as the party chairman, Sunday Bisi, is from Ijesa Land.
“I have won elections 5 times through the support of my people. It will be a course for me to keep quiet. I told my younger brother, IBK Ibukun Fadipe Chairman, SUBEB, some of these things, but nothing happened. Ditto COS and SSG Teslim Igbalaye, nothing happened. I won’t keep quiet. We must get what belongs to us.”
In response to Oke’s criticism, a statement jointly signed by three of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commissioners—Bayo Ogungbangbe (Cooperatives and Empowerment), Mayowa Adejorin (Environment), and Tola Faseru (agriculture)—rejected the allegations as baseless.
The commissioners described Oke’s claims as a misrepresentation of facts, stating, “It is disheartening and reprehensible to see a long-serving representative of our people spread misinformation that could potentially mislead our constituents.”
The statement highlighted Adeleke’s achievements in Oke’s constituency, including the appointment of three commissioners and 15 other political appointees, an ongoing 1.5 km road project, the renovation of 13 primary health centers, and the construction of classrooms in more than eight schools across Oriade and Obokun local governments.
“All 22 wards in Ijesa North Federal Constituency have significantly benefited from the Ward-Based Cooperatives initiative launched by this administration.“
“We urge Hon. Wole Oke to refrain from actions and statements that could potentially mislead our constituents and disrupt the unity of purpose needed for further progress.”
