ONDO STAKEHOLDERS BLAME POOR REPRESENTATION FOR ILE-OLUJI/OKEIGBO INFRASTRUCTURAL DECAY

Stakeholders in Okeigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have expressed concern over worsening infrastructure and what they described as years of poor representation in the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, calling for a new representative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by APC chieftain, Fayemisi Tosin, who said growing dissatisfaction among residents has heightened calls for a lawmaker capable of attracting federal projects, creating employment opportunities and providing effective representation at the National Assembly.

According to Tosin, many constituents who had high expectations when the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Festus Adefiranye, assumed office now believe those expectations have not been met, citing inadequate development and limited federal presence across the constituency.

He said communities in the constituency continue to face poor infrastructure, rising youth unemployment and a lack of impactful constituency projects.

Among the key concerns raised was the deteriorating Okeigbo-Ifetedo Bridge, which links Ondo and Osun states. Tosin said the poor condition of the bridge has continued to disrupt economic activities and daily movement for farmers, traders, students and commuters.

He also decried the state of the School for Persons with Disabilities in Okeigbo, describing the institution as neglected and in urgent need of rehabilitation.

Tosin further alleged that several youths who travelled to Abuja after being promised federal employment are yet to receive appointment letters, while many qualified indigenes remain excluded from both federal and state job opportunities.

He maintained that future electoral support should be determined by performance, accessibility and tangible development, insisting that many residents are unwilling to support another term for the incumbent without visible improvements in the constituency.

The stakeholders also reaffirmed their support for Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who contested the APC House of Representatives primary for the constituency, urging the party’s national leadership to recognise her as the rightful candidate and upload her name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.