THE IBARAPA CENTRAL TEST: CAN SOLA ADELEKE TURN GRIEVANCE INTO LEGACY?……. Tayo Akinyemi

Ibarapa Central Local Government is at a crossroads. Not of roads and bridges alone, but of trust.

The council, politically structured into three blocks:

Block 1: Igbole, Pako, Iberekodo, Saganun, Idofin;
Block 2: Igbo-Ora;
Block 3: Idere
This was built on a compact of inclusion adopted 15 years ago. The idea was simple: rotate opportunities, share development, and kill marginalisation before it starts.

Today, that compact is being questioned. And loudly.

THREE VOICES, ONE ANXIETY

In the past week, I reviewed three distinct interventions on the administration of Hon. Olusola Adeleke, Executive Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government.

First, from Idere: Dr. Lamidi Rasaq Oladiti argues that “the long-standing tradition of fairness is being eroded.” He cites the block arrangement and PDP/APM’s directive of one Supervisory Councillor and one Special Adviser per ward. Idere, with three wards, got one of each initially, then a second Supervisory Councillor after protests. On projects, he lists multiple interventions in Igbo-Ora — Odo Ayin Bridge, Olu Okun Bridge, Opeleki Bridge, palace and town hall renovations, FRSC office, 15 culverts, 7+ boreholes, Twins Radio, market rehabilitation, ICT Centre — valued by community estimates at over ₦1 billion. For Idere, he identifies two culverts, one Odo-Oko culvert renovation, and two boreholes, estimated at *less than ₦100 million*. “This is not a request for special treatment,” Dr. Lamidi writes. “It is a call for equity, transparency and inclusive development.”

Second, from a supporter with a caveat:
Engr. Aderogba Taiwo Abdulgaffar backs continuity for Hon. Adeleke, praising “road rehabilitation, water interventions, education, youth empowerment, and security support.” But he warns: “Continuity must not come at the cost of unity.” He points to Twins Radio, market rehabilitation, and the ICT Centre — all sited in Igbo-Ora — and asks that such projects “be equitably sited across the two major towns.” He flags “sectional politics” as widening gaps, burdening the next administration, and straining relations with IPU and stakeholders. His condition for a second term: “a renewed mandate for inclusive governance.”

Third, from the chairman’s camp: Wadud Oladoke of Ward 9, an APM member, admits “SOLAR is not a good man to me personally, but focused on community development.” He alleges that critics are “being sponsored” by elements within the PDP/APM to “tarnish the image” of the chairman. Wadud counters with history: he claims the current House of Reps member from Block 1 employed 163 people with “none from Block II,” sited “billions of Naira street lights,” a 4km road, and a community library — all in Block 1. He cites past chairmen from other blocks who, he alleges, also concentrated projects in their home areas. His conclusion: “SOLAR is trying his possible best” and deserves a second term.

My perception from three write-ups. Three lenses. One problem: ‘perception of exclusion’.

1. The Data Gap: Whether the ₦1bn vs ₦100m estimates are precise or not, the fact that respected stakeholders believe them is itself a governance crisis. In public administration, perception is half the battle. When two of the three blocks feel sidelined, silence from the council becomes complicity.

2. The History Trap: Wadud’s defence — “they did it too” — is dangerous. Past wrongs do not justify present imbalance. If every chairman governs for his block, Ibarapa Central will never outgrow its blocks. Leadership is not vengeance by projects.

3. The Unity Cost: Engr. Taiwo is right. Sectionalism plants “seeds of distrust that the next government will inherit.” For instance, I am from Pako axis which invariably has no touch in the current administration. A chairman who wins a second term but loses the council’s soul has not really won.
4. The Security Angle: Wadud argues Adeleke prioritises “those living in dangers.” If true, that is commendable. But security is not a substitute for equity. Both must walk together.

THE BLOCK POLITICS QUESTION
The 3-block arrangement was meant to share, not splinter. If Block 2 now holds the chairmanship and Block 1 holds the Reps seat, and both are accused of favouring their bases, then Block 3 — Idere — becomes the moral barometer. When Idere speaks, Ibarapa Central should listen. History shows that peace in this council rests on the Igbo-Ora–Idere handshake.

PRACTICAL ADVICE TO HON. SOLA ADELEKE
Mr. Chairman, you have 11 months left in this term, and a second term ambition in the air. You can still write a different story. Here is how:

1. Publish the Books Within shortest Days: Release a ward-by-ward, project-by-project, naira-by-naira breakdown of all capital projects, appointments, and empowerment from May 2023 to date. Let Block 1, 2, and 3 see themselves in the numbers. Transparency kills rumour.

2. Convene a 3-Block Equity Summit: Bring Town unions, traditional rulers from Igbo-Ora, Idere, Igbole, Pako, Iberekodo, Saganun, Idofin, youth leaders, and party faithful. Agree on a “Minimum Development Package” for each block for 2026–2027. Sign it. Publish it.

3. Rebalance Iconic Projects Now: Use the remainder of 2026 budget to correct geography equity. Perception changes when cranes move.

4. Audit Appointments: If PDP/APM’s ward directive exists, show compliance. If there are gaps, fill them. A Supervisory Councillor or Special Adviser costs less than the distrust their absence creates.

5. Rise Above Party Proxies: Call your defenders off the “APM sponsors” rhetoric. When Wadud says critics are sponsored, he poisons the well. Respond to facts, not motives. You are chairman for APC, PDP, APM, and the unaffiliated alike.

6. Institutionalise Zoning of Legacy Projects: Propose a council by-law that every administration must site at least one “flagship project” in each block per tenure. Make equity law, not luck.

TO THE BLOCKS
Block 1 and Block 3: Document your grievances, not just on Facebook. Submit formal memos to the council with project requests and costs. Make it hard to ignore you.

Block 2 : To whom much is given, much is expected. Defend your son with fairness, not triumphalism.

CONCLUSION
Hon. Adeleke Ayodele Olusola your legacy will not be measured by how many bridges you built in Igbo-Ora, but by whether Pako, Idere, Iberekodo , Saganun, Idofin and Igbole felt like Ibarapa Central was theirs too.

Dr. Lamidi is right : “Justice is not measured by how much one community receives, but by whether every community receives its fair share.”

Engr. Taiwo is right: “Continuity must not come at the cost of unity.”

Even Wadud is right: “We need to deal with fact.”

The facts are now on the table. The blocks are watching.

Mr. Chairman, the next move is yours. Build projects, yes. But first, rebuild trust.