Hon. Saheed Adeyemi Oladele (SAO), APC aspirant for the House of Representatives in Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency, on Thursday delivered a strongly worded response to the recent resolution of the Oyo State House of Assembly condemning the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu over the lingering electricity challenges in Ibarapaland and other parts of the state.
Addressing journalists, Oladele described the Assembly’s position as politically convenient and lacking in balanced assessment, insisting that the attempt to single out the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, amounts to a calculated effort to deflect attention from what he termed the shortcomings of the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde.
According to him, while the Minister oversees national power policy and regulatory coordination across the federation, the legal and constitutional landscape has significantly evolved, granting states expanded authority in electricity generation and distribution.
“It is insincere for the Oyo State Government to suddenly cry foul and attempt to heap all the blame on the Minister. The Minister supervises the power sector nationwide. The question the people deserve answers to is simple. What deliberate and measurable efforts has the Makinde administration made to restore stable electricity supply across Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapaland?” Oladele said.
He noted that the constitutional amendment and the Electricity Act 2023 have empowered states to independently pursue electricity projects within their territories, adding that this framework provided Oyo State with sufficient legal backing to implement far-reaching and sustainable reforms long before now.
At this point, Hon. Saheed Adeyemi Oladele made it clear that his intervention was not driven by routine political reaction but by a sense of responsibility to his constituents.
“This is personal to me. Typically, I do not comment on matters like this, especially when they are wrapped in political exchanges. But when narratives are crafted in a way that gaslights my people and attempts to distort the realities they live with daily, it becomes a matter I cannot ignore,” Oladele stated.
He stressed that the people of Ibarapa and Oyo State at large deserve honesty and transparent leadership, not rhetoric that shifts responsibility without addressing root causes.
“When the lived experiences of our communities are overlooked or reframed for political convenience, it becomes necessary to speak up. My concern is not about scoring points, it is about ensuring that the truth is told and that genuine solutions are pursued for the benefit of our people,” he added.
Oladele referenced the 11MW Hybrid Independent Power Project commissioned on December 6, 2024 at the State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan. While acknowledging it as a step in principle, he argued that its scope remains largely confined to government infrastructure.
According to him, the project primarily powers government offices, selected health facilities, and public streetlights, with limited visible impact on households, markets, artisans, and small businesses across Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, and Ibarapa Central that have endured years of erratic or non-existent power supply.
“Is governance now defined by supplying electricity only to government offices and public institutions while the larger population remains in prolonged darkness? Why was the recently commissioned power project structured mainly around government facilities instead of being deliberately expanded to serve the entire citizens of the Oyo State?” he queried.
He further expressed concern that an administration led by an engineer has yet to articulate and execute a comprehensive, people-centered electricity roadmap capable of transforming the state’s energy landscape.
“It is troubling that after several years in office, we still do not see a clearly structured statewide power strategy. Rather than pursuing integrated, scalable solutions, we are confronted with reports of solar-powered streetlights being supplemented with diesel engines. This raises serious questions about planning, sustainability, and long-term efficiency,” Oladele stated.
The APC aspirant also challenged the state government to disclose the extent of private sector participation in its energy agenda.
“How many credible private investors have been strategically incorporated into Oyo State’s power ecosystem to expand generation capacity, upgrade distribution infrastructure, and stimulate industrial growth? Sustainable economic prosperity is driven by reliable power and strong public-private partnerships, not political posturing,” he said.
Oladele extended his criticism to the Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, noting that as a representative from Ibarapa, there should have been earlier and more consistent legislative pressure and executive collaboration to resolve the electricity crisis in the zone.
“For years, the people of Ibarapa have lived with unstable or non-existent electricity supply. It is therefore surprising that only at this stage we are witnessing motions and public condemnations. The timing inevitably raises questions about accountability and consistency,” he remarked.
He maintained that the ongoing attempt to focus public outrage solely on the federal government reflects a broader pattern of shifting responsibility as the current administration approaches the latter phase of its tenure.
“In a few months, this administration will begin to wind down. Leadership requires foresight, proactive engagement, and measurable results. It is not enough to raise motions; the people want to see sustainable solutions,” he said.
Hon. Oladele concluded by calling on the Oyo State Government to present a comprehensive and transparent report detailing its energy policies, investments, partnerships, and verifiable outcomes since 2019.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for practical, investor-driven, and community-focused reforms that will guarantee stable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply across Ibarapaland and Oyo State at large, stressing that the welfare of citizens must remain the central focus of governance.
