After twenty-six years of advocacy and struggle, Government of the state of Osun under the leadership of Mr Gboyega Oyetola has approved restoration and increment of the number of wards wards Ilobu Irepodun local area of Osun state, from six to ten.
Insight Media gathered that the approval was contained in a letter convened to the Supervisor, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Adejare Adebisi by the Permanent Secretary of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, Mr Wahab Adewoyin, on Friday, August 30 on the approval of the governor.
OSSIEC is the constitutional authority to create wards in local government areas.
Sources inside the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs told Insight Media that the effort to restore and increase the number of wards in Ilobu was spearheaded by Barrister Adebisi.
“Adebisi was the sole person that led the struggle to ensure that the number of wards is not only restored but also increased. He proudly led other progressive individuals to bring about this development.”
It will be recalled that prior to 1993 general elections, Ilobu, which was the headquarters of the Old Irepodun local government that comprised Ilobu, Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun had eight wards that were created in 1976. But it was reduced to six in 1993. The reason for the reduction was informed by some political tussles during the time.
Since then, efforts made by community leaders I ensure that the reduction is reversed have been proved abortive. Many have attributed the development to the appointment of Adebisi as the supervisor of the local government administration.
