The picture coming out of Alaro Ayegbami along the Eleyele Road tells a story that is difficult to ignore: a brand-new transformer has arrived in a community that has endured a prolonged electricity crisis. But beyond the excitement is another question that has now become unavoidable — why must essential community interventions increasingly become part of political competition, particularly as the 2027 elections approach?
The transformer delivered to Alaro has been linked to Hon. Engr. Aderemi Abasi Oseni, whose name and political materials are visibly displayed on the equipment in the photograph. Oseni has been publicly associated with several transformer interventions across Oyo State. Recent reports say he distributed 10 transformers to communities in Oyo South, while his own public communications have highlighted additional 500KVA transformer interventions.
So, yes, APC has come full-blown with an intervention that will understandably be welcomed by residents. But the question remains: should the provision of basic infrastructure become an avenue for politicians to seek political loyalty or votes?
That question is particularly relevant in Alaro because the community's electricity problem did not begin today.
Residents have been dealing with a long-standing transformer crisis. The previous transformer reportedly underwent repairs in 2025, but according to accounts from community leaders, it spent several months at IBEDC's facility before being returned and installed. The transformer subsequently developed another fault, leaving residents without adequate electricity for months.
Rather than continue another round of repairs, the community decided to seek intervention through political and government channels.
That effort produced an interesting development.
The leadership of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), through the Ibadan North Local Government administration led by Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, had reportedly been working on providing another transformer for the community. Olufade is currently the APM chairmanship candidate for Ibadan North in the 2026 local government elections.
According to community leaders, arrangements had already commenced for the transformer and preparations for the installation site had been undertaken.
Then APC's intervention arrived.
And this is where the story becomes politically interesting.
APM says its own transformer is still coming.
If that happens, Alaro Ayegbami and the Eleyele Road axis could end up with two transformers.
From the community's perspective, that should not be a problem. It should actually be a victory.
The community needs additional power capacity. If the existing network is already overloaded, two properly installed and commissioned transformers could allow the electricity load to be distributed across different sections of the community rather than placing excessive pressure on a single transformer.
The coming political argument may therefore shift from “Who brought the transformer?” to “Whose transformer gets installed first?”
But perhaps Alaro should refuse to make that its priority.
Let APC take credit for what it has delivered.
Let APM fulfil its promise and take credit for what it delivers.
Let the community take the biggest credit of all.
There is also the emerging political dimension involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Aderemi Oseni. Oseni's recent constituency interventions have increasingly featured prominently in political conversations ahead of 2027, while Alli has emerged as the APC's 2027 governorship candidate in Oyo State.
The question being asked in the community is therefore understandable: Is this simply representation at work, or is the political season changing the way politicians respond to grassroots demands?
Perhaps the answer is not one or the other.
Politicians are expected to respond to the needs of their constituents. Communities are equally entitled to demand accountability from those seeking their support.
And if political competition produces useful infrastructure, the people should not reject the benefits simply because two political camps are competing for recognition.
Alaro needs the transformers. Alaro needs electricity. Alaro needs sustainable development.
If APM brings its promised transformer, the community should welcome it.
If APC has delivered the transformer already received, that should equally be acknowledged.
In the end, the people should judge everyone by results.
Let the politicians compete with projects. Let the people decide with their votes.
For Alaro, this should be a win-win situation.
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