…ADC Candidate Reaffirms Commitment to Local Government Autonomy, Promises Development Across Oyo
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke (FCA), has unveiled a series of social and economic programmes, including monthly stipends for residents aged 75 and above, free primary and secondary education, and the construction of a rail line linking Ibadan with the Oke-Ogun zone.
Adegoke made the promises on Thursday during a thank-you visit to Irepo, Olorunsogo and Orelope Local Government Areas, where he expressed appreciation to party members and residents for their support during the ADC governorship primary.
The ADC candidate also reiterated his commitment to the full implementation of local government autonomy, saying councils would be allowed to function effectively and deliver development directly to grassroots communities if he is elected governor in 2027.
Adegoke said one of his administration’s immediate priorities would be the welfare of senior citizens, promising to introduce monthly financial stipends for people aged 75 years and above within his first 100 days in office.
He said the policy would form part of his administration’s broader social protection programme aimed at improving the welfare and dignity of elderly residents.
The governorship candidate also promised to make education at the primary and secondary school levels free, stressing that no parent should be prevented from educating a child because of financial difficulties.
Adegoke, who holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said his administration would place agriculture and rural infrastructure at the centre of Oyo State’s economic transformation.
He described Oke-Ogun as the state’s “food basket” and said inadequate transportation infrastructure remained one of the major challenges confronting farmers who produce food and cash crops in the area.
According to him, his administration would explore the construction of a rail line from Moniya in Ibadan to Oke-Ogun, with the objective of providing farmers with an efficient means of transporting agricultural produce to Ibadan and other major markets.
“People refer to Oke-Ogun as the food basket of the state. As a graduate of Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, I know how and what is required to assist our farmers in moving their produce to the urban areas,” Adegoke said.
He said the proposed rail connection would help reduce transportation challenges, improve farmers’ access to markets and enhance the economic value of agricultural production in the region.
“I will construct a rail line from Moniya in Ibadan to link the Oke-Ogun area so that farmers can transport their produce to markets in the urban areas.
“With this, the farmers will be able to give their children good education and send them abroad to further their education and pursue other future endeavours.”
Adegoke further pledged that his administration would introduce free education at the primary and secondary school levels across the state.
He said the policy would be designed to remove financial barriers that prevent children from accessing basic education.
The ADC candidate linked his education proposal to his agricultural development plan, arguing that improved household incomes would also enable parents to provide better opportunities for their children.
Adegoke also restated his commitment to local government autonomy, promising that his administration would respect the constitutional role of local governments and allow them to operate effectively.
He said stronger and more functional local governments were essential to bringing governance closer to the people and ensuring that development reached communities beyond the state capital.
His position comes against the backdrop of the continuing national debate over the financial and administrative independence of Nigeria’s local governments.
The ADC candidate thanked residents of Kishi, Igbeti, Igboho and other communities in the constituency for their support, assuring them that their contributions to his political journey would not be forgotten.
He explained that his decision to commence the appreciation tour from the Irepo, Olorunsogo and Orelope Federal Constituency was deliberate, noting that it was also a mark of respect for the ADC State Chairman, Afees Jimoh, popularly known as Ona Ara, who hails from the area.
Adegoke said his commitment to the development of the area predated his emergence as the ADC governorship candidate, promising to pursue additional infrastructure and economic development projects across Oke-Ogun and other parts of Oyo State.
He added that he would visit the 14 federal constituencies in Oyo State as part of the appreciation tour before returning to campaign formally when the campaign window opens on September 9, 2026.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Chairman of the ADC, Afees Jimoh, expressed appreciation to the people of Kishi and other communities for their support, saying their backing contributed to Adegoke’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate.
Jimoh urged party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called for a house-to-house campaign strategy across the state to mobilise voters for the ADC’s presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates.
According to him, the objective is to secure broad-based support for the ADC and enable Adegoke to implement what he described as an equitable development agenda across Oyo State.
Those who welcomed Adegoke during the visit included the Oyo North Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Lanre Saheed Agoro; Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope Federal Constituency House of Representatives candidate, Dr. Abdulsalam Abdul Afees Babatunde; Irepo/Olorunsogo State Constituency candidate, Nasiru Ibrahim Adeniyi; Orelope State Constituency candidate, Owolabi Samson, as well as other party leaders and supporters in the zone.
The visit marked the beginning of Adegoke’s wider post-primary engagement with communities and party structures across Oyo State as the ADC begins preparations for the 2027 governorship contest.
2027 Oyo Guber: Adegoke Pledges Monthly Stipends for Elderly, Free Education, Oke-Ogun Rail Project
