Ondo Assembly Speaker ‘Empowers’ Traditional Rulers With Standing Fans, Sparks Reactions
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi, has distributed standing fans to 35 traditional rulers in Ondo East Local Government Area, describing the gesture as an empowerment programme.
Oladiji announced the distribution in a statement posted on his official page, accompanied by photographs showing him presenting cartons of fans to aged Baales, who are community rulers.
According to the Speaker, the beneficiaries received brand-new Ox Plus 18-inch high-speed standing fans in recognition of their support for his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the initiative was part of his efforts to strengthen traditional institutions and promote grassroots development.
The Speaker also disclosed that the distribution followed his earlier empowerment of Olojas with generating sets and a donation of ₦1 million towards the Owena-Tepo II Town Hall project.
He wrote, “Yesterday, I had the honour of engaging with 35 Baales across Ondo East Local Government, empowering them with brand-new Ox Plus 18-inch high-speed standing fans in recognition of their support for our administration and the progressive ideals of our great party, the APC.”
Oladiji further expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders for their support, while calling for continued backing for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the distribution has sparked reactions, with some residents questioning whether standing fans qualify as empowerment, particularly amid challenges facing communities across the state.
Critics pointed to poor roads, insecurity, inadequate healthcare and unreliable electricity supply, arguing that distributing electric fans to communities struggling with power supply may do little to improve residents’ living conditions.
Some also questioned the decision to link the gesture to political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Facebook user, Falade Omotayo, expressed concern over the initiative, writing, “It’s well. How is a standing fan an empowerment to Olojas? I wonder who advises these Ondo State politicians.”
The incident has once again drawn attention to the nature of empowerment programmes introduced by Nigerian politicians.
Over the years, public office holders have distributed items such as wheelbarrows, clippers, detergents, plastic mats, charcoal and household utensils to constituents under various empowerment initiatives.
While some politicians argue that such gestures provide immediate assistance to beneficiaries, critics maintain that the programmes often fail to address the underlying causes of poverty, unemployment and economic hardship.
The controversy has renewed calls for political leaders to prioritise sustainable empowerment initiatives that create jobs, improve access to basic services and provide lasting economic benefits to their constituents.
