By Oluwole Solanke (PhD, FCIB)
Dear Hon. Wasiu Ayodeji Adeshina,
As a concerned resident of Ikorodu and a witness to your tenure as Executive Chairman/Administrator of Ikorodu Local Government over the past decade, I write this letter with a heavy heart, compelled by a sense of duty to reflect on your administration’s performance and its impact on our community. Your time in office, which began with promise and high expectations, has unfortunately left a legacy of disappointment, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled promises that will serve as a sobering lesson for future political officeholders.
The Holy Qur’an reminds us, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11). As leaders entrusted with the welfare of the people, the responsibility to effect meaningful change rests squarely on your shoulders. Regrettably, your administration’s record over the past ten years reflects a troubling pattern of mismanagement, lack of accountability, and disregard for the genuine needs of Ikorodu’s residents. The collective resources of our community, which should have been harnessed for transformative development, appear to have been squandered, leaving little tangible progress for your successors to build upon.
One of the most glaring examples of this failure is the redevelopment of the Ikorodu cemetery, a project initiated during your time as Executive Secretary and continued through your chairmanship. Despite the allocation of millions of naira over a decade, this project remains incomplete, with nothing substantial to show for the significant funds invested. This is not merely an administrative oversight but a betrayal of public trust, as the cemetery holds deep cultural and emotional significance for our community. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others” (Al-Tirmidhi). Your inability to deliver on this project raises serious questions about your commitment to serving the people over personal interests.
Equally disheartening is the state of infrastructure under your watch, exemplified by the Owode-Sholafun road project. In 2021, a good Samaritan personally brought the substandard work of the contractor to your attention during a meeting attended by yourself, the Vice Chairman, the Secretary to the Local Government, and other executive and legislative members, highlighted the poor quality of the construction and urged immediate action to address the contractor’s failure to deliver. While you initially denied knowledge of the road’s condition, you later acknowledged its unsatisfactory state and even referenced other subpar projects by the same contractor, including the failure to complete the supply of doors within the council. Despite the submission of a written complaint, as you requested, and similar grievances from other residents, no meaningful action was taken to rectify these issues. This suggests a troubling prioritization of personal gain and self-aggrandizement over the public good, as the shoddy work of contractors went unchecked.
The newly commissioned Itunmoja road, completed just a week before your departure from office, further underscores this pattern of failure. Hailed as a parting achievement, this road became unmotorable after a single heavy downpour, sparking widespread outrage among residents. Social media posts have captured the community’s frustration, with many demanding a probe into the multimillion-naira project’s quality and execution. Such negative reactions reflect a broader sentiment of disillusionment with your administration’s approach to infrastructure development, where projects appear to have been undertaken for optics rather than durability and public benefit.
Your administration’s achievements, such as the commissioning of ten borehole projects in 2024 and the rehabilitation of Anibaba-Sholafun-Owode road in 2020, are overshadowed by the consistent failure to deliver lasting impact. The Qur’an warns, “O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do” (Surah As-Saff, 61:2-3). Your promises of progress, while well-publicized, often failed to translate into meaningful outcomes, leaving residents grappling with dilapidated roads, uncompleted projects, and a lack of accountability.(Reference:https://www.ikoroduradio.com/access-to-clean-water-ikorodu-lg-boss-hon-wasiu-adeshina-commissions-ten-borehole-projects-across-council-areas-in-one-day/)…..(Reference: https://www.theimpactnewspaper.com/2020/08/30/we-are-constructing-anibaba-sholafun-road-because-lts-a-strategic-link-road-hon-adeshina/). These links are to sharpen your memory.
As you step away from public office, this letter serves as a reference for future political leaders in Ikorodu and beyond. Leadership is a sacred trust, and those who hold it must prioritize the welfare of their people above personal interests. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Your tenure, marked by unfulfilled projects and allegations of mismanagement, stands as a cautionary tale of what happens when this trust is broken. To the incoming administration of our new Chairmen, your predecessors’ shortcomings highlight the need for innovation, transparency, and deliberate action to address Ikorodu’s pressing challenges, such as the deplorable state of roads like Ijede, Gberigbe, and Igbe, which residents have long decried…(Reference: https://punchng.com/motorists-residents-lament-bad-state-of-ikorodu-roads/).
We urge you to reflect on your tenure and seek forgiveness for any lapses, as Allah (SWT) is Most Forgiving and Merciful. “And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the wrongdoers” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:45). May your future endeavours be guided by a renewed commitment to integrity and service. For the people of Ikorodu, we pray for leaders who will restore hope, rebuild trust, and deliver the development our community deserves.
Yours in disappointment,
Oluwole Solanke (PhD, FCIB), a Concerned Resident of Ikorodu Local Government
