The Onisanbo of Ogbooro in Saki East LGA of Oyo State, Oba Engr. Kazeem Adio Adegboyega Ilufemiloye I, has expressed concern over what he described as the consistent neglect of the Okeogun region by presidential candidates and past presidents during election campaigns.
The monarch made the remarks while addressing journalists in the Ogbooro community, where he lamented that no presidential candidate in recent electoral cycles had deemed it necessary to visit the Okeogun axis to engage directly with its people and stakeholders.
According to him, it is difficult for national leaders to fully understand the challenges confronting the region if they continue to focus their campaign activities largely on Ibadan and other urban centres while excluding vast rural communities in Okeogun.
“It is practically impossible to know the plights and concerns of Okeogun people when they fail to meet the critical stakeholders in the area,” the traditional ruler said.
Oba Adegboyega Ilufemiloye I noted that the perceived political isolation of the region has contributed to a sense of marginalisation among residents, particularly in areas of infrastructure development, education, and economic opportunities.
He observed that during election periods, major political activities are often concentrated in the state capital and a few other prominent locations, leaving Okeogun communities with minimal direct engagement from top political actors.
The monarch, however, called for greater unity among stakeholders in the Okeogun region, urging traditional rulers, community leaders, and political representatives to present a more coordinated front in advocating for the development needs of the area.
He stressed that unity among leaders in the region would strengthen its bargaining power and ensure that Okeogun receives fair attention in national and state-level political considerations.
Oba Adegboyega also encouraged political actors to broaden their outreach during campaigns, insisting that inclusive engagement remains key to understanding the diverse realities across Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Okeogun, which comprises several local government areas in the northern part of Oyo State, remains one of the state’s key agricultural zones but continues to seek improved infrastructure and stronger political representation at the national level.