As an observer and a proud constituent of the Ekiti North Senatorial District, I read with utter dismay a recent public critique authored by one Comrade Sylvester Olatunji—who parades a PhD—regarding the recent procurement and distribution of transformers by our distinguished senator, Senator Cyril Fasuyi.
It is deeply unfortunate and ironic that someone who claims to hold the highest academic degree would display such a fundamental lack of understanding regarding the realities of Nigeria’s power sector, while resorting to petty, politically motivated mudslinging. When a supposed scholar abandons objectivity for blind partisanship, it diminishes the very essence of education. Let us correct the narrative and educate the writer on the basics.
1. Understanding the Realities of the Power Sector and Legislative Roles
It is elementary knowledge that since the privatization of the power sector in Nigeria, electricity distribution companies (such as BEDC in our region) hold the commercial franchise and are primarily responsible for network maintenance and capital investments to generate revenue. Furthermore, modern legislative duties do not legally bind lawmakers to procure heavy electrical infrastructure from constituency budgets, as rural electrification initiatives have evolved.
Despite this, Senator Cyril Fasuyi went above and beyond his primary legislative mandate. Using his personal resources—not government budgetary allocations—he stepped in to bring relief to communities groaning in darkness. Criticizing such a monumental gesture displays either deliberate mischief or a total disconnect from reality.
2. Debunking the Myth of “Substandard” and “Refurbished” Equipment
Comrade Olatunji’s claims regarding the quality of the transformers are entirely baseless. Let the facts speak for themselves:
Brand New and Certified: All 15 transformers recently procured are 100% brand new, built with high-grade copper windings (not cheap aluminum), and sourced directly from reputable manufacturers.
Global Standards: Every unit meets strict regulatory compliance. For the record, transformers approved for use in Nigeria must pass stringent Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) vetting. They are sourced from globally recognized and certified five top-class transformer manufacturers namely:Seimens (Germany); ABB (Germany); Astor AS (Turkey), and Meksan (Turkey), etc. Senator Fasuyi procured these units directly from distributors of these brands in Nigeria and he has only delivered Siemens, Meksan and Astor AS brands with certificates of production-with SON representatives having conducted proper factory inspections and approvals.
Pre-Procurement Synergy: Before these purchases were made, technical consultations and assessments regarding voltage and specifications were properly conducted with BEDC engineers.
The brands of transformers bought by the distinguished senator are MEKSAN, Siemens and Astor. These brands are ISO certified and the production date on all the 15 transformers procured is 2025. The self-acclaimed PhD holder can fact check this, rather than shamelessly exhibiting and dramatising his ignorance and lack of depth.
As earlier stated, MEKSAN, Siemens and Astor brands of transformer is ISO certified which makes them an internationally recognized and approved brands.
3. Practical Logistics and Community Stakeholder Engagement
The writer raised concerns regarding platforms and cables, displaying a lack of local context:
Existing Platforms: These are replacement interventions for long-damaged transformers. They are being installed directly into existing, pre-approved platforms where previous units sat for years. Therefore, constructing brand-new pads does not arise.
Community Partnership: In Ire-Ekiti and other beneficiary towns, some of these transformers had broken down over a decade ago without the community being able to replace them independently. While existing infrastructure is being utilized, a healthy partnership requires communities to show a modicum of commitment—such as handling minor auxiliary connections like cables—to foster a sense of ownership. Expecting a single individual to shoulder 100% of peripheral installation costs while attacking him for the main capital asset is height of ungratefulness.
4. Character, Track Record, and True Representation
Senator Cyril Fasuyi is an accomplished former banker and a successful business mogul whose pedigree and contributions to society long predate his entry into active politics. He has a proven history of community development, having supported his people long before holding public office.
It is regrettable that a man with a PhD would allow himself to be used as a political mouthpiece by disgruntled sponsors whose electoral weight cannot match the goodwill Senator Fasuyi enjoys across Ekiti North. Even in places like Ire-Ekiti—where electoral dynamics during the last general elections may have differed—the Senator’s humanitarian interventions continue to transcend politics because leadership is about service to all, regardless of partisan lines.
Conclusion:
As a constituent of Ekiti North Senatorial District, I firmly believe that genuine leadership must be commended, not maligned by academic theorists sitting behind computer screens. Senator Fasuyi has demonstrated exemplary leadership using his hard-earned personal resources to light up our communities.
Dr. Olatunji and his sponsors would do well to channel their energy into productive, community-building ventures rather than sponsoring unwarranted attacks against a man who is actively working to better the lives of his constituents.
— Taiwo P. Ajayi.
An Observer and Proud Constituent of Ekiti North Senatorial District
