The show of support came during a visit over the weekend by representatives of the Yayi Community Development Initiative, where hundreds of residents and community leaders gathered to receive the delegation and reaffirm their confidence in the leadership of Senator Adeola and Governor Abiodun.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the community to present some of its pressing developmental needs, with the prolonged lack of stable electricity dominating discussions. Community leaders described the power situation as a major setback to economic growth and social development in the ancient town.
Speaking on behalf of residents, the Chairman of the Oke-Eri Joint Community Development Association (CDA), Evangelist Adekoya Adeleke, said the community had endured years of inadequate electricity supply, leaving many households and businesses struggling to survive.
According to him, the persistent power outage has negatively affected commercial activities, education, healthcare services, places of worship, and the overall well-being of residents.
“Our people have continued to suffer because of the absence of reliable electricity. Business owners are recording losses, students cannot study effectively at night, and families are facing untold hardship. We believe this challenge deserves urgent attention,” Adeleke said.
The CDA chairman appealed to Senator Adeola and the visiting delegation to facilitate the provision of a 500 KVA/33KV transformer for the community, noting that the intervention would significantly improve electricity supply, stimulate economic activities, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
He expressed confidence in Senator Adeola’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that the lawmaker’s record of community-oriented projects gives the people hope that their request would receive favourable consideration.
Also speaking, Former Governorship aspirants under the Platform of All Progressive Congress ( APC) and leader in the community Asiwaju Adetunji Oredipe, commended the Kabiyesi and the Council of Chiefs for their efforts in facilitating the installation of a transformer that currently serves part of Oke-Eri.
He described the intervention as a demonstration of the traditional institution’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
Oredipe, however, noted that several parts of the community have remained without electricity for nearly two years despite the earlier intervention.
He urged the Yayi Community Development Initiative to extend similar support to the affected areas to ensure that every section of the town enjoys stable electricity.
He stressed that restoring power to the remaining communities would not only improve living conditions but also boost local businesses, create opportunities for economic growth, and accelerate development across Oke-Eri.
