Orolu Local Government with its administrative headquarters in Ifon-Osun, Osun State is one of the 774 local government areas as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The name, – Orolu Local Government became more globally known throughout the world during the last Osun State Government Election in September, 2019, when there was need for the Independent National Electoral Commission Commission (INEC) to conduct rerun of the Governorship Election that eventually produced Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola as the duly elected Governor of Osun State.
Specifically, the expected results from Orolu Local Government area was one of the major determinant factors on final declaration of the winner because there were 3 (Ìdí-Iya, Egan-Áajẹ̀, & Kajola polling units) out of 7 Polling Units in the State where the rerun election were to be held.
This does not mean to discuss political abracadabra that made Governor Oyetola to win the rerun in Orolu Local Government despite losing throughout the whole 10 Electoral Wards in the area during the initial major election that was conducted on 22nd September, 2020.
The questions are; “Does Orolu Really Exists In The Mind of Governor Oyetola?” comes to my mind when I ponder on justification for neglect, failure and refusal of the Governor Oyetola-led administration to repair the dilapidated only Comprehensive Healthcare facility the Osun State Government can boast of in Orolu Local Government. It was not surprising when the national leadership of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union (IPU), the apex community association unanimously frowned at their son, Hon. Benson Adekunle Adesina, the Chairman of the Orolu Local Government in Ifon-Osun suggested to use Local Government scarce resources to roof the state owned Healthcare Center which is not functional because it is short-staffed and not equipped with drugs, bed, and other necessary items. Whereas, the Primary Health Center under the management of the Local government itself needs attention.
The community leaders concluded that decision of Orolu Local Government is an exposition of total failure by a State Government that claims that his major target is provision of qualitative health care delivery. The Governor celebrated his 100 days in office with purported rehabilitation of Healthcare in all local governments in the state. Definitely, Òròlú Local Government was excluded. Why? It is only Governor Oyetola that can answer that. Will it not sound funny that the only major physical structure that Osun State can boast of is Ifon Comprehensive Health Center at Ahoro Afin, Ifon-Osun and this was abandoned to the extent that the scanty staff, who are working there have been threatening the community that they will all desert their respective offices because of rains? Also, all request from Orolu local government and pleas from Ifon-Orolu community were ignored by Governor Oyetola’s administration. The Orolu Local Government has no other alternative than to do the little it could when the situation appeared obvious that Osun State Government was not ready to attend to such issue critically affecting our people.
From all indications, Orolu people sincerely love this supposed “listening” leader, who has never done anything special for Orolu people to show appreciation. Despite the resolution and demonstration of our people’s for support Governor Oyetola’s administration; none of his decisions has proved that he even recognized us as integral part of his constituency regardless of any of our political leaders! These reminds us of a Yoruba saying that…. “Ailesoro, ni ibere ori buruku”, which means *”unwarranted silence is the foundation of being unfortunate”.*
As at today, majority of Orolu indigenes at home and in the diaspora are not happy and we continue to lament on why our Governor has not really found any goodness in any of our leaders and industrious citizens. *Initially, our political leaders in his ruling party and our Paramount traditional ruler were beating their chests that Governor Isiaka Oyetola will reciprocate the sacrifices which Orolu people made towards his emergence. Sadly, the situation has changed because no one can publicly be proud of Governor Oyeyola’s leadership because he has completely underated Orolu public and promoted to the class of one of the Most Marginalized Local Government Areas in Nigeria”.* In all sincerity, it is only few, who are his political subjects, cowards or born praise-singers that would pray for continuation of such leadership in the midst of genuine Orolu bloods.
The first shock from Governor Oyetola was when he physically declared that “he has the right to choose calibre of people that can form his cabinet”. No one has ever denied such right / power. However, I was sad when I remember too many intellectuals that Orolu has in the field of Law, Medicine, Politics, Journalism, Engineering, Accounting and others in Nigeria or internationally! Our people are greatly worried and could not reconcile the reason why Governor Oyetola could not find just a single person as a Commissioner, a Special Adviser or Chief of Staff! Even common Head of parastatal or a Deputy in any state owned institution. Are we not part of Osun State government? This is totally unfair! *What kind of leadership style does not consider sensitivity of fair representation in distribution of political office holding? How does it sound to appoint a 35 man cabinet members in a State of only 30 local government areas and a particular local government that suffered for your emergence was not considered? The only rational conclusion is either manifestation of ill-feelings about the people or you consider us as nothing in your view.* Ordinarily, one would have thought that Governor Oyetola would be persuasive in order to calm Orolu people’s down with his naturally pleasant and humble personality; rather Mr. Governor has never shown any empathy by putting himself in a shoe of an average Orolu citizens. This is disappointing and least expected of a considerate political leader.
The current manifestation of Orolu as one of the “Most Marginalized Local Government Areas in Nigeria” really call for sober reflection. For instance, the Federal High Court, Osogbo has declared that ” the current composition of Osun State House of Assembly is illegal without Orolu State Constituency as the 27th member of the State Assembly. This supposed to be an issue that should interest a true democrat.
At this point, I would like to commend Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration for laudable interest and support up till when we got the judgement against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that was ordered to conduct separate election into Orolu State Constituency.
Unfortunately, the INEC that expected to be seen as an unbiased electoral umpire refused to comply with the Court Order and later went back to the Appeal Court after a long period. The INEC’s decision on late appeal was not only frivolous and clear abuse of judicial process but a systematic way of oppressing our people. Initially, the entire Orolu Community were happy, when Governor Oyetola indicated interest in the matter by requesting for all necessary documentation including copy of the relevant judgement. We promptly forwarded all to Mr. Governor’s Office and that was the end of story on crucial matter!
The physical injury that is saddening to the people of Orolu Local Government was the effect of recent flood that seriously destroyed buildings and about 3 or 4 major bridges in Orolu community! Oh yes, the Osun State Government actually sent a powerful delegation to Ifon for assessment almost as it occurred. But no succour was given to ameliorate the suffering of the individuals that were affected by the terrible and unusual incident. Besides there was no update on possibility or hope of reconstructing the major bridges that are making the affected areas at Gboro – Arenja area and Okekere Community areas of Ifon. This already making affected communities to look like deserts.
As I mentioned earlier, Governor Oyetola is a ‘listening’ leader and anyone that meet him will agree with me that he is one of the humble leaders in this country. But the fact remains that the people of Orolu Local Government has never gotten anything special from him despite our peculiarity to his political history. *Does it mean that our people are underrated or Orolu is not existing in his mind? It is high time for Governor Oyetola to realize that we shall continue to cry louder and clamour until due recognition is given to our community.*
Prince JIde Akinyooye, ACA is the National Publicity Secretary, Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union,
Ifon-Osun. He can be reached via
[email protected]
+234-806-2720-214
