…Promises 5% Allocation for Traditional Leaders, Monthly Allowances, Free Healthcare for Senior Citizens
The Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke (FCA), has pledged to strengthen traditional institutions, ensure effective implementation of local government autonomy and embark on comprehensive urban renewal across the state if elected governor in 2027.
Adegoke gave the assurances on Friday during a strategic meeting with members of the Association of Traditional Baales, representing communities across the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland.
According to a statement released by his media team on Sunday, the ADC candidate identified local government autonomy, improved remuneration for traditional leaders and urban renewal as critical components of his proposed development agenda, describing them as essential to effective grassroots administration and sustainable economic growth.
Adegoke, who holds the traditional title of Oota Balogun of Ibadanland, said granting local governments genuine administrative and financial autonomy would enable them to address community-specific challenges, improve security and accelerate development at the grassroots.
He argued that local governments, being the tier of government closest to the people, should have the authority and resources to respond promptly to the needs of their communities.
“I am a staunch advocate of local government autonomy. It is the closest tier of government to the people. The state government is often distant from the grassroots and may not be easily accessible to the local population.
“Local government administration is closer to the people, and if the elected local government executives possess the authority and financial resources to act, the grassroots will be the primary beneficiaries,” he said.
The ADC candidate also pledged to strengthen the traditional institution by ensuring that traditional leaders receive their statutory five per cent share of local government allocations promptly.
He said his administration would establish a framework to ensure that the funds meant for traditional institutions were released as and when due, thereby improving their capacity to contribute to community development, conflict resolution and grassroots security.
According to him, traditional rulers and community leaders remain important partners in governance and should be adequately supported to discharge their responsibilities.
“There will be better remuneration for our traditional leaders through local government autonomy, in the sense that their five per cent allocation from local government allocations will get to them as and when due,” Adegoke stated.
On infrastructure and urban development, Adegoke promised to embark on an extensive urban renewal programme aimed at transforming neglected communities and improving living conditions across Oyo State.
He said the initiative would focus on rehabilitating inner roads, constructing new access roads, upgrading public utilities and creating modern public spaces capable of attracting businesses, investment and tourism.
He explained that improved infrastructure would stimulate economic activities, generate employment, encourage the establishment of new businesses and strengthen commercial centres.
“As part of our urban renewal programme, we will create attractive public spaces and modern utilities which will draw new commercial investments and tourism infrastructure. Inner roads will be rehabilitated while new ones will be built to ease the provision of social amenities such as pipe-borne water,” he said.
Adegoke added that the proposed improvements would not be restricted to Ibadan but would extend to other urban centres, including Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki and Iseyin.
He said upgraded roads, public transportation systems and utility networks would improve connectivity, facilitate commerce and enhance the quality of life of residents.
Adegoke also reiterated his pledge to introduce monthly financial allowances for senior citizens aged 75 and above, alongside free healthcare services.
He said the proposed intervention was part of his administration’s social welfare programme designed to support elderly residents who might no longer have the capacity to earn regular incomes.
He further promised to improve access to pipe-borne water across the state, describing potable water as an essential social service that must be made available to communities.
The ADC candidate also maintained that job creation for young people would remain a major priority of his proposed administration.
Responding on behalf of the traditional community leaders, the President of the Association of Traditional Baales, Baale Folorunsho Durojaiye Bamitale Ige of Olounde Ige, Oluyole Local Government Area, thanked Adegoke for recognising the importance of local government autonomy and traditional institutions in his proposed development agenda.
The Baales appealed to him to translate the promises into practical policies if elected governor in 2027.
They maintained that genuine financial autonomy for local governments would accelerate grassroots development, improve the maintenance of rural roads and strengthen security through more effective community-level administration.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the traditional community leaders to present their expectations on grassroots governance, infrastructure and the role of traditional institutions in the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State.
