As Oyo State prepares for the forthcoming local government council elections scheduled for December 29, 2026, political conversations across the state’s 33 local government areas are increasingly focusing on leadership, performance, continuity and the future of grassroots governance. While each council has its unique challenges and developmental priorities, one principle should guide the process: the interests of the people must remain above party politics and personal differences.
In Ona-Ara Local Government, the discussion surrounding the second-term bid of Hon. Dr. Kolapo Temitope, popularly known as GLORIOUS, provides an opportunity to examine the relationship between continuity and community development. The broader message, however, extends beyond Ona-Ara. Across Oyo State, residents should be encouraged to assess their respective local government administrations on the basis of their records, responsiveness to public needs and commitment to sustainable development.
Political competition is an essential part of democracy, and residents have every right to support different parties and candidates. However, political affiliation should not prevent the objective assessment of projects, programmes and policies that affect the lives of ordinary people. Equally, acknowledging reported achievements should not mean abandoning accountability or ignoring areas that require improvement.
Against this background, the administration of Hon. Dr. Kolapo Temitope-GLORIOUS deserves public discussion in relation to the projects and interventions attributed to it in Ona-Ara. These include the construction of a standard registry and hall for the local government, the renovation of the council’s guest house to serve as an annex office, the drilling of boreholes in some communities and the grading of inner roads. Such initiatives address important aspects of grassroots governance, including administrative infrastructure, access to water and road connectivity. Their lasting value should be assessed through their quality, accessibility, maintenance and actual impact on residents.
Education is another area in which the administration’s reported interventions merit attention. The annual sponsorship of UTME forms for more than 500 students, scholarships for outstanding beneficiaries and the distribution of writing materials to schools are among the initiatives identified by supporters of the administration. If sustained and effectively implemented, such programmes can help reduce educational barriers and create opportunities for young people.
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For many families, the cost of examination registration and educational materials can be a significant burden. Local government initiatives that ease these pressures deserve consideration, particularly when they are implemented transparently and reach deserving beneficiaries. Across Oyo State, local administrations should be encouraged to prioritise education, support vulnerable students and work with relevant stakeholders to improve learning conditions in public schools.
Beyond infrastructure and education, the reported welfare interventions associated with the Ona-Ara administration also form part of the broader discussion about governance at the grassroots. Residents expect their local governments to understand their daily challenges and respond with practical solutions. Development should therefore not be measured only by announcements or the number of projects presented to the public, but also by the extent to which these initiatives improve living conditions and provide sustainable benefits.
Nevertheless, the call to put development above politics must apply equally to every council and every political party in Oyo State. No administration should be beyond scrutiny, and no candidate should be assessed solely on political affiliation. Where progress has been recorded, it should be acknowledged on the strength of verifiable evidence. Where shortcomings exist, they should be openly discussed, with practical proposals offered to address them.
As the December 29, 2026, statewide local government elections approach, residents should engage in constructive conversations about the future of their communities. They should examine the records of candidates, ask questions about unfinished projects, evaluate proposed programmes and consider how each candidate intends to address local challenges. This approach will help shift political discussions from personalities and partisan rivalries towards policies, performance and the public interest.
For Hon. Dr. Kolapo Temitope-GLORIOUS, the second-term conversation should centre on whether the reported achievements of his administration can be consolidated, expanded and translated into more sustainable development for Ona-Ara. A renewed mandate, if granted by the electorate, would bring expectations of improved service delivery, stronger accountability, broader community engagement and a clear plan for addressing outstanding needs.
The same standard should apply to chairmanship candidates seeking office in the other local government areas of Oyo State. Every candidate should be prepared to explain how they intend to improve roads, strengthen primary healthcare, expand educational support, improve access to clean water, promote community welfare and ensure responsible management of public resources. The circumstances of each council may differ, but the ultimate objective should remain the same: better governance and improved living conditions for residents.
As Convener of City Talk With Egalitarian and Publisher of Egalitarian Voice Media, I believe that the forthcoming council elections should provide an opportunity for a more mature political conversation across Oyo State. Political differences should not prevent citizens from recognising useful initiatives, demanding better performance or supporting policies that serve the common good.
This is not a call to silence opposition or discourage political competition. Rather, it is an appeal for residents to approach the electoral process with open minds, examine available evidence and make informed choices. Continuity should be judged by the value it offers, just as a change in leadership should be assessed by the credibility of its proposals and the feasibility of its development agenda.
Ultimately, the development of Ona-Ara and every other local government in Oyo State must rise above partisan interests. The people deserve functional infrastructure, accessible public services, educational opportunities, responsive leadership and transparent governance. These are the priorities that should shape public debate before, during and after the elections.
As the state prepares for this important exercise, the message is clear: Ona-Ara’s development must transcend politics, and the same principle should guide every local government in Oyo State. The ultimate measure of leadership is the positive and lasting difference it makes in the lives of the people.
ONA-ARA First, POLITICS Second!
Akinlabi Segun O. (Egalitarian) is a son of the soil (Ona-Ara LG)
Convener, City Talk With Egalitarian | Publisher, Egalitarian Voice Media
