“We’ve Been Marginalized Enough!” – Cocoa Farmers’ Leader Slams Lawmaker
By Agbelusi Ganiyu
Idanre, Ondo State
A prominent community leader and human rights advocate, Mr. Bayo Akinyelure, has accused Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) of marginalizing the people of Idanre Local Government Area, which falls under his representation in the Ondo Central Senatorial District.
In a statement sent to Idanre Media Services, Akinyelure—who is the Secretary of the Idanre Cocoa Farmers Association and a respected cocoa entrepreneur—said the Senator has allegedly focused his developmental efforts on Akure and its surrounding areas, at the expense of other LGAs, particularly Idanre, which he described as “rich in culture, tourism, and economic value.”
According to him, Akure Division alone hosts five higher institutions, including the Federal University of Technology, the Federal College of Agriculture, the Ondo State School of Nursing, the College of Health Technology, and Elizade University, while Idanre has none.
“Instead of championing the establishment of a Federal University of Culture and Tourism in Idanre, which is home to the globally acclaimed Oke Idanre Hills, the Senator has pushed for its location elsewhere,” he lamented.
Akinyelure further argued that Idanre contributes nearly 60% of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and should not be treated like a second-class community in the Senatorial zone.
Social Media Uproar
The statement has sparked widespread debate across Idanre-based social media platforms, where many users are expressing discontent with what they perceive as neglect of the community.
Some criticized the Senator for providing only a handful of solar-powered streetlights in Idanre while allegedly channeling major infrastructure projects to Akure and its environs.
Senator Adegbonmire Responds: “I Am Not a Contractor”
While Senator Adegbonmire has not issued a direct response to Akinyelure’s fresh claims, he had previously addressed similar criticisms, stating publicly:
“I am a lawmaker, not a contractor. My primary duty is to make laws and attract federal presence through legislation—not to execute contracts or build roads myself.”
His remark, however, has done little to douse the rising tension in Idanre, where citizens are demanding greater legislative advocacy and equitable project distribution from their elected representative.
Call for Unity Among Indigenes
Mr. Akinyelure ended his statement by calling on all Idanre sons and daughters—at home and abroad—to speak up and demand fair treatment, noting that successive governments have often overlooked the historical and economic contributions of the town.
“This is not just about politics. It’s about dignity, recognition, and justice for Idanre,” he added.
