Opinion: ADELEKE OR OYETOLA: WHITHER IKIRUN?
Ikirun occupies a strategic place in the political space of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole. Ikirun by geographical setting is centrally located and it served as the headquarters of a key district in the old Western Region. Today Ikirun is the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government, Osun State.
Over the years genuine concerns have been raised about the pace of progress and rate of development of Ikirun. Ikirun indigenes are sensitive and active when it comes to political participation. Eventhough, there are divergent interests among Ikirun political actors, the consensus among them is that Ikirun deserves better than it present situation. While this is not disputed, there is need for a dispassionate and honest appraisal of the present day Ikirun under Governor Ademola Adeleke and the state it was under the immediate past Administration of former Governor Oyetola. This is important so as to be able to appreciate the gains of today however little, however insignificant it might look to some others, over the loss of the past.
I have searched through the records, in the area of road infrastructure, former Governor Oyetola did not consider Ikirun worthy of any road infrastructure. Save for his infinitesimal face saving intervention between Amola junction which is around Ikirun/Iragbiji boundary, no road infrastructure was again delivered to Ikirun under former Governor Oyetola. Please point it out to us if this account is not correct. The Osogbo/Ikirun/Ila-Odo boundary dualisation completed to Osogbo Steel Rolling by the Aregbesola’s Administration was picked up by Governor Adeleke and within 100 days of his administration, he completed it to Alamisi Roundabout adorned with provision of solar street light facilities. What am I saying, former Governor Oyetola detested Ikirun so much that a portion of the Osogbo/Ikirun road was only spot-patched by his administration and channeled to Iragbiji, leaving Ikirun out, at a time the said former Governor Oyetola was channeling Kelebe road from Testing Ground Roundabout, Osogbo, to Iragbiji. We should ask what is Ikirun’s sin? Assuming the entire Ikirun sons and daughters are not in the same political party with former Governor Oyetola, at least quite a number of Ikirun stars in their large numbers are in the same political party with him, yet these illustrious sons and daughters of Ikirun are not worthy of any political consideration or federal appointments in the APC-led Federal Government in which Oyetola is currently serving as a Minster. Oyetola got the opportunity to facilitate 2 Federal universities to his hometown, Iragbiji, not even a Faculty or Department of either of the 2 newly approved Federal Universities deserves to be in Ikirun. The hatred is that much.
By contrast, within 3 and a half years, Adeleke has intervened in Ikirun road infrastructure. Apart from the ongoing phase 2 dualisation of Ikirun/Ila-Odo which has given Ikirun a face-lift and the brand of a modern city, the Adeleke Administration has rehabilitated the Monday/Railway junction road, Ikirun , as well as Oke-Afo/Saturday Market/General Hospital road, Ikirun. Adeleke’s Administration has also constructed Elemo/Okanlawon road within Ikirun township. Local Government Councils have been hijacked by the court-sacked YES/NO Chiarmen. Adeleke continues to deliver on major programs ordinarily meant for the local government including primary health care centres. He has rehabilitated quite a number of these primary health facilities in Ikirun, despite the withholding of the local government funds, yet he is still being criticized for intervening in the area of primary health care. What should he have done in the circumstance when there is no one to provide same, the local government having been illegally hijacked by the impostors who have turned our council secretariats to beer parlors and pepper soup joints.
I saw a list of the achievements of Mr. Governor in Ifelodun generally and it also conveyed an APPROVAL of the construction of Labaeka (Odofun/Old Inisa road). I read some comments regarding that criticizing the Adeleke’s Team for bringing that road in. It should be mentioned that once an approval has been given for a project, the next is commencement, so why the criticisim? I could also recollect at a time that the Akinrun palace was all over the media in its state of dilapidation, outgrown bushes, wreckage and decay. The Government of Adeleke despite not being responsible for the development intervened by ordering immediate clearing and cleaning-up of the palace which was promptly done. It is quite surprising that those who celebrated the decay and rot in the palace and blamed it mischievously on the Governor, are those criticizing his intervention in clearing and cleaning-up the Akinrun’s palace.
Yes, Ikirun has not attained its enviable position amongst its peers, but to say Ikirun is not developing at all is to turn blind eyes to the grace of God enjoyed by Ikirun under Governor Adeleke. Ikirun was on fire because of the Obaship tussle which was not caused by Governor Adeleke. The Governor intervened by his famous Executive Order and peace returned to Ikirun. Let us not answer the panagearics wrongly attributed to us “Afi igi gun oju oloore”. It is never our attribute. Ikirun do appreciate and value whoever respects and treats us well.
Governor Adeleke, for his little interventions in Ikirun deserves to be appreciated not castigated. Adeleke’s achievements in Ikirun cannot at all be compared to the 12 years APC rule in Osun State from which Ikirun benefitted nothing especially under former Governor Oyetola.
Let us give credit to whom it is due. Let us praise a performer who values and respects Ikirun, then we can ask for more; not trivialising the much he has done for Ikirun, even the much appears to be a little.
In good conscience, we should identify and recognise who is more approachable between Governor Adeleke and former Governor Oyetola who brought AMBO on board. AMBO for all intents and purposes mirrors what Oyetola means to Ikirun; a past of mistreatment, lack and no favorable consideration.
Ikirun must move forward, not returning to the era of neglect which was typical of the Oyetola Administration.
Jamal Olalekan writes from Isale Aafo, Ikirun, Osun State.