Ilaro, Ogun– A high-profile event in Ilaro, Ogun State, where Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, celebrated his 56th birthday by distributing 102 electricity transformers to 435 communities, has sparked a fierce controversy.

The initiative, branded as the "Light Up Ogun State" project, was hailed by supporters as a generous personal gesture but has been accused by critics of being a misrepresentation of federally funded projects, prompting calls for investigations by anti-corruption agencies.

The event, held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, drew a large crowd of supporters donning yellow "Light Up Ogun State" T-shirts, with banners proclaiming "Yayi Ni Jojo! Yayi Ni Jaree" and detailing the distribution of transformers across various communities and the Ogun Smallville CDA Estate.

The transformers, packaged and displayed prominently, were presented as part of Adeola’s empowerment initiative, with images of the senator and other dignitaries adorning promotional materials.

However, the celebration took a contentious turn following a detailed post by @monitng, alleging that the transformers were not funded by Adeola’s personal resources but through the 2024 and 2025 Federal Government budgets.

Citing official budget documents, @MonITNG highlighted two specific allocations: Project Code ERGP20263486 in the 2025 budget, valued at ₦200 million under the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), and Project Code ERGP20245144 in the 2024 budget, worth ₦125 million under the National Productivity Centre.

Both projects are described as constituency interventions funded by taxpayer money, intended for the supply and installation of 500KVA transformers in Ogun East Senatorial District.

The post accuses Adeola and his supporters of misleading the public by presenting these government-funded projects as personal birthday gifts, particularly as a strategic move ahead of the 2027 Ogun State elections. It raises red flags about the technical capacity of the assigned agencies—BCDA and the National Productivity Centre—to execute power infrastructure projects, questioning the procurement process and the true intent behind the distribution.

@MonITNG tagged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), urging a thorough investigation into the funding and implementation of the initiative.

Conversely, Adeola’s supporters argue that his role as a senator justifies his involvement in securing such projects for his constituency.

Senator Adeola, who chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has yet to respond directly to the accusations. His office previously described the transformer distribution as part of his ongoing commitment to improving electricity access in Ogun West, a region plagued by inconsistent power supply.

The initiative reportedly includes transformers of varying capacities (500kva/33, 500kva/11, 300kva/33, and 300kva/11) to serve 17 local government areas, complementing over 16,500 solar-powered streetlights installed in the region.

The involvement of federal agencies like BCDA, tasked with developing border communities, adds another layer of complexity, with questions arising about whether the project aligns with the agency’s mandate or serves as a conduit for political patronage.

For now, the "Light Up Ogun State" event—intended as a celebration—has instead cast a shadow over Adeola’s leadership, with citizens demanding clarity on who truly funds the transformers lighting their communities.