The Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Olalekan Oladejo Glory has criticized what he described as the absence of visible Oyo State Government projects in Esiele Community, located in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso, while commending the Federal Government’s Solar Mini-Grid Project in the area.

In a statement following a visit to the community, the APC youth leader said the most prominent government intervention in Esiele is the Federal Government-backed Solar Mini-Grid Project facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Power.

He praised former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for what he described as an impactful intervention in the community.
According to him, it was difficult to identify any significant presence of the Oyo State Government in Esiele despite local governments receiving monthly allocations. He challenged the Oyo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogunsina, to provide evidence of state government projects in the area.

The APC youth leader further argued that neglecting rural communities could have long-term consequences, stressing that development should not be concentrated in urban centres while villages are left behind.

“Esiele deserves better. Rural communities deserve better. Government presence should be felt everywhere, not only where it is politically convenient,” he stated.

Responding, Oyo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogunsina, described the criticism as an indictment of elected representatives from the area.

Ogunsina noted that Esiele falls within a constituency represented by two National Assembly members, identified as LMJ and BAF, and questioned why responsibility was being placed solely on the state government.
He also pointed out that the area was represented by an APC lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly until 2023, arguing that the opposition party had opportunities to attract development projects during its period in office.

“You people were in power for 96 months, you forgot Esiele too?” Ogunsina said.

He further maintained that the Solar Mini-Grid Project referenced by the APC youth leader was implemented in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Energy, suggesting that the state government also played a role in the intervention.

The exchange highlights continuing political disagreements between the APC and the PDP over responsibility for rural development and infrastructure projects in Oyo State, particularly in underserved communities such as Esiele.