Oriade/Obokun Youth Lists 21 Neglected Roads By Governor Adeleke, Calls for Equity in Osun Project Allocation

In a bold and coordinated move signalling rising civic consciousness in Osun’s political landscape, the Ijesa North Youth Platform has issued a formal letter of demand to Governor Ademola Adeleke, accusing the state government of “systematic marginalisation” of the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in road and infrastructure allocations.

The group, comprising young professionals, students, and community leaders from Oriade and Obokun Local Government Areas, lamented what it described as years of infrastructural neglect, with the collapsed Ere-Ilahun Bridge standing as a tragic symbol of abandonment. The critical link bridge, which fell apart over a year ago, remains unreconstructed, cutting off communities, disrupting commerce, and endangering lives.

While acknowledging the state’s ongoing developmental initiatives in cities such as Osogbo, Ede, Ife, and Ilesa, the group insists that Oriade and Obokun have received “an alarmingly disproportionate and almost negligible share” of state-backed projects, citing only a 1.5-kilometre completed road in Ipetu-Ijesa as the constituency’s solitary gain so far.

The youth platform outlined more than 20 critical road and infrastructure projects requiring urgent intervention across the constituency, and called for the immediate reconstruction of the Ere–Ilahun Bridge as a test of the administration’s commitment to fairness, equity, and inclusive governance.

The group emphasized that its demand is rooted in constructive engagement and not partisanship, urging Governor Adeleke to uphold his mantra of leaving no community behind.

Below is the full letter of demand as forwarded to the Governor and copied to relevant state officials.

 LETTER OF DEMAND ON THE MARGINALISATION OF ORIADE/OBOKUN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY IN PROJECT ALLOCATIONS AND AN URGENT REQUEST FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE COLLAPSED ERE–ILAHUN BRIDGE

His Excellency,

Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke,

Executive Governor, Osun State,

Government House, Osogbo.

Your Excellency,

With due respect and in the spirit of constructive engagement, we, the undersigned members of the Ijesa North Youth Platform, wish to bring to the attention of the Osun State Government the glaring oversight of Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in the allocation of developmental projects across the state.

The Ijesa North Youth Platform, established in 2017, comprises young professionals, students, and community representatives from Oriade and Obokun Local Government Areas, cutting across political affiliations. Our primary objective has always been to foster unity, development, and civic engagement within our Federal Constituency.

During a recent discourse on the platform, members unanimously expressed grave concern over the continued neglect of the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, especially in the area of road infrastructure and the collapsed Ere–Ilahun Bridge, which has remained unattended since its collapse last year. The bridge serves as a major link between several communities, and its continuous disrepair has not only disrupted economic activities but also endangered the lives of our people.

While we appreciate the ongoing infrastructural efforts in other parts of the state—particularly Osogbo, Ede, Ife, Ilesa, and other major towns—it is regrettable that Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency has not benefited in equal measure. The only completed project in the entire Oriade axis remains the 1.5-kilometre stretch in Ipetu-Ijesa, which is grossly inadequate considering the vastness and economic importance of the area.

ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURES THAT REQUIRE URGENT GOVERNMENT ATTENTION IN ORIADE/OBOKUN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

1. Reconstruction of the collapsed Ere–Ilahun Bridge.

2. Rehabilitation of Imesi-Ile to Esa-Oke Road.

3. Rehabilitation of Ibokun to Adaowode Road.

4. Rehabilitation of Otan-Ile to Ilare to Esa-Odo Road.

5. Development of Ward 05 Roads.

6. Rehabilitation of Ijebu-Jesa to Iloko Road.

7. Reconstruction of Ilesa (Gold FM) to Iloko-Ijesa Road.

8. Rehabilitation of the Apostolic Church, Ikeji-Arakeji to JABU Road.

9. Rehabilitation of Ikeji-Arakeji to Ikeji-Ile Road.

10. Rehabilitation of Erinmo to Ijeda Road – the bridge is already giving way.

11. Completion of the Akure Express Link Road connecting Erinmo directly to the Expressway, abandoned for over 20 years.

12. Rehabilitation of Iloko-Ijesa to Ijeda Road.

13. Rehabilitation of Ijebu-Jesa to Ijyaregbe Road.

14. Rehabilitation of the road leading to Erin-Ijesa Waterfall, a major tourism hub.

15. Rehabilitation of Itamerin–Oju Ogun–Obalende Road in Ipetu-Ijesa.

16. Rehabilitation of Adeleye–Tayelolu–Oke Agunla via Oke Ayo Road in Ipetu-Ijesa.

17. Rehabilitation of Access Bank–Oke Okuta–Obalende Road in Ipetu-Ijesa.

18. Rehabilitation of Odo Ise–Water Corporation–Famous New Day School (General Hospital Road) in Ipetu-Ijesa.

19. Rehabilitation of Itamerin–Odo Ìṣe–Wasimi Road in Ipetu-Ijesa.

20. Rehabilitation of Oika–Omi Odo Road in Ipetu-Ijesa.

21. Total overhauling of Erin-Oke/Erin-Ijesa roads from the Akure/Ilesa corridor inward to Erin-Oke, Late Mojisoluwa-Akinfenwa.

ONGOING PROJECTS IN OBOKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT (FOR COMPARISON)

While we appreciate and acknowledge the following ongoing construction efforts in Obokun Local Government, we note with concern that Oriade, her counterpart in the same Federal Constituency, has only benefited from the aforementioned 1.5-kilometre road in Ipetu-Ijesa:

1. Construction of Odowo–Ayetoro Junction–Oja Tuntun–Igbajo/Imesi-Ile Road and Ita Ijana–Olowu Olojudu Street, with a spur to Itiwo-Ile Asaba Street, Imesi-Ile.

2. Construction of Mission Road–Oke Eyindi–Maternity Road, Ilare.

3. Construction of Oke Oye–Oke Ita Road, with a spur to Ogodogbo and Temidire Road, Ibokun.

OUR DEMANDS

Your Excellency, we believe in your administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and balanced development. We therefore demand urgent government attention to the following:

1. Commence immediate reconstruction of the collapsed Ere–Ilahun Bridge, which remains a critical infrastructure for our people.

2. Prioritize road rehabilitation and new construction projects across communities in Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, in line with the level of development being recorded in other parts of the state.

3. Ensure equitable distribution of infrastructural projects across all constituencies, devoid of political or regional bias.

We trust in your leadership and your popular mantra of governance that leaves no community behind. We hope this appeal will receive prompt attention in the interest of justice, equity, and the wellbeing of our people.

Thank you, Your Excellency, for your anticipated prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of Ijesa North Youth Platform (Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency)

Cc:

1. Hon. Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe — Commissioner for Cooperative & Empowerment, Osun State 

2. Hon. Tola Faseru — Commissioner for Agriculture & Food Security, Osun State 

3. Hon. Mayowa Adejorin — Commissioner for Environment & Sanitation, Osun State 

4. Hon. Adewunmi Adeyemi Irekandu — Member, Osun State House of Assembly (MHA), representing Obokun State Constituency

5. Hon. Kanmi Ajibola — Member, Osun State House of Assembly (MHA), representing Oriade State Constituency