Ijesa North Diaspora Faults Wole Oke Over Ilo-Ijesa Transformer Delivery

The Ijesa North Citizens in the Diaspora have strongly criticized the recent delivery of a transformer to Ilo Ijesa by the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Wole Oke, calling it a “belated political response” that came only after Barr. Pelumi Olajengbesi had already intervened to address the community’s long-standing electricity crisis.

In a statement, the diaspora organization alleged that the people of Ilo Ijesa had endured more than fourteen years without a functional electricity transformer despite repeated appeals to their elected representative. 

According to the group, successive requests from community leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and concerned residents failed to produce the desired intervention.

The organization said the prolonged blackout had negatively affected every aspect of life in the community. 

Local businesses reportedly suffered declining patronage due to the lack of electricity, while artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs struggled to sustain their livelihoods. 

Students, the group noted, were forced to study under difficult conditions, health facilities operated with significant limitations, and households incurred additional costs by relying on generators and alternative energy sources.

The statement argued that such a prolonged absence of basic infrastructure reflected a failure of responsive representation.

According to the group, Barr. Pelumi Olajengbesi decided to personally finance and provide a transformer for Ilo Ijesa after becoming aware of the community’s plight. 

The organisation described the move as an example of “people-centred leadership,” saying it demonstrated compassion, commitment, and a willingness to solve problems rather than merely make promises.

However, the group said that within 24 hours of Barr. Pelumi Olajengbesi’s intervention, Hon. Wole Oke also delivered a transformer to the same community.

While acknowledging that any development capable of restoring electricity to Ilo-Ijesa is ultimately beneficial to residents, the organisation questioned the timing of the lawmaker’s intervention.

“The people are asking simple but important questions,” the statement read.

“If a transformer could be delivered within twenty-four hours, why did the community remain in darkness for over fourteen years?

Why was urgent action only taken after another son of Ijesaland had already stepped in? And why has this intervention coincided with the build-up to another election cycle?”

The diaspora group maintained that these questions deserve clear and transparent answers from anyone seeking another electoral mandate.

The organisation further argued that true leadership is demonstrated through consistency rather than last-minute interventions.

According to the statement, development projects should be driven by the genuine needs of the people and not by political pressure or election calculations.

It added that communities should never have to wait for campaign seasons before receiving essential infrastructure and public services that improve everyday life.

The group also called on the people of Ijesa North to become more demanding of accountability from public office holders, insisting that democratic representation should be measured by visible performance throughout a representative’s tenure rather than projects undertaken close to elections.

While reaffirming its support for Barr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, the organisation described him as a leader who has demonstrated practical commitment through action rather than rhetoric. 

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It said his intervention in Ilo Ijesa reflects the type of leadership many residents desire: leadership rooted in service, empathy, responsiveness, and genuine concern for community development.

The statement concluded by urging the people of Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency to prioritise competence, accountability, and consistent performance when making future political decisions.

“Our communities deserve leaders who identify problems early and solve them without waiting for political pressure,” the group stated. “The era of reactive governance must give way to proactive leadership that puts the people first.”

The organisation maintained that while it welcomes every genuine effort aimed at improving the lives of citizens, elected officials must remain accountable for years of unmet expectations and explain why critical interventions often occur only when elections approach.

Signed:

Ijesa North Citizens in the Diaspora.