Wole Oke Raises Concerns Over Development Gaps in Ijesaland Despite Increased Osun Revenue

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former lawmaker, Hon. Wole Oke, has expressed concern over what he described as limited development impact in Ijesaland despite significant increases in revenue accruing to Osun State under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In an analysis circulated on Monday, Oke noted that Osun State recorded 100 per cent performance and even surpassed its budgeted revenue estimates for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 fiscal years. He attributed the surge in revenue largely to the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which significantly boosted allocations to states.

According to him, within two years, Governor Adeleke received revenues equivalent to what his predecessor got over a four-year period. However, Oke questioned what tangible benefits the six local government areas of Ijesaland have gained from the improved financial inflows.

He cited the construction of the Breweries Junction to Market Square Road, a stretch of less than 10 kilometres, as one of the few visible projects in the area, arguing that it falls short of expectations given the scale of funds available to the state.

Oke further lamented the condition of public infrastructure across Atakumosa East and West Local Government Areas and their Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), as well as Oriade and Obokun local governments. He raised concerns over the state of hospitals, schools, and roads, alleging that public facilities in the areas have suffered neglect.

On healthcare, he claimed that only two doctors are currently serving the entire Obokun and Oriade Federal Constituency, with one doctor per local government. He also alleged that technical education has been abandoned, with no new industries established and no visible support provided to security agencies, unlike what he said obtains in other states.

The former lawmaker also criticised the abandonment of the Osun airport project and described water supply across parts of the state as poor, despite what he said were huge sums expended on the sector. He added that promises made by the government to fix the collapsed Ere–Ilahun Bridge have yet to be fulfilled.

Oke alleged that the 2025 state budget has already been exhausted and claimed that plans are underway to channel a substantial portion of the 2026 budget into servicing an exit loan. He said he is awaiting the release of the Osun State Auditor-General’s report for the 2025 financial year, which he intends to analyse in detail.

Despite his criticisms, Oke said he believes Governor Adeleke is aware of the political realities ahead of the 8 August 2026 governorship election, suggesting that this may explain what he described as the administration’s reluctance to embark on major infrastructure projects in Oriade, Obokun, Ife South, Ife North and Modakeke.

He concluded by expressing confidence that Osun State would “be great again,” adding that those who currently disagree with his position would, in his view, have cause to reassess it after the 2026 gubernatorial election.