Adeleke Talks Achievements and Rivalry Ahead of Osun Election

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, spoke on Tuesday about his administration’s work. He denied claims of vote-buying and “Edenisation.” He also criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, before Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke made these comments during the Arise TV Town Hall Meeting for candidates in the August 15 governorship election in Osun.

The governor, who is running for a second term, mentioned his administration’s successes in roads, healthcare, and workers’ welfare. He also addressed criticism of his dancing at events and his rivalry with the APC.

I was cheated in 2018

Adeleke shared his political journey, saying he returned to the governorship race in 2022 after feeling cheated in the 2018 election. He said, “I was cheated in 2018. I went back to school and returned in 2022.” He expressed that his administration has focused on the welfare of residents since then.

He promised more projects if he wins again, stating, “More goodies are on the way.”

I don’t need to buy votes

The governor rejected allegations of vote-buying before the election. He explained that the state government does not have the money for such practices. Instead, it has been using funds to pay workers despite not receiving local government allocations for almost two years.

“As an administration, we do not have the resources to engage in vote buying. We have been using state resources to pay local government workers since our local government allocation was withheld almost two years ago.”

On Palliatives

Adeleke also mentioned he has provided support to workers since 2023. He said, “I do not need to buy votes to win election. I have been giving workers palliative since 2023. I believe in my work to speak for me.”

He accused the APC of vote-buying after years of poor governance, saying, “Their own method is after 12 years of not working, they will now share N50,000. Osun people are now wise.”

I am a bulldozer

Adeleke claimed he is not intimidated by the number of APC governors supporting his opponent. He described himself as a “bulldozer.” He said, “I am not worried that I am contesting against a party that has 34 governors; I am a bulldozer.” He reminded that the governors could support their party but cannot vote in Osun.

He added that some of the governors who campaigned against him later contacted him to say they were joking. “They are my friends. After they left the campaign, they called me and said, ‘We are just joking o.’”

Oyetola is still suffering from the pain of defeat

Adeleke reignited his rivalry with former Governor Oyetola, whom he beat in the 2022 election. He claimed Oyetola is using his connection to President Bola Tinubu to create issues in Osun.

“Oyetola is still suffering from the pain of the defeat I gave him in the 2022 Osun State governorship election. He is using federal might because he is a cousin of President Tinubu to cause problems in Osun State.” He expressed confidence that Osun people would resist intimidation.

“Osun State people are ready, no amount of intimidation can stop them.”

Oyetola was discouraged from contesting against me

Adeleke claimed some APC members informed him about Oyetola wanting to run again. He said Oyetola was discouraged from running because of his previous loss.

“I have friends in the APC that tell me things, who informed me of Oyetola’s desire to run for a second term. He was discouraged because they knew he could not defeat me. They told him, ‘You cannot beat Imole.’”

The governor accused the APC of bringing hardship to Osun. He also claimed his administration has cleared an N80bn backlog of pension payments.

It is a sin to say my roads are substandard

Adeleke defended the quality of roads built by his administration. He said qualified engineers have confirmed the projects are good. “It is a sin to say that the roads I constructed are substandard. I used professional engineers. I used Nigerian engineers. I supervised their work.”

He mentioned that international engineers were also invited to check some projects. “On the roads, I use certified engineers, I used Nigerian engineers, and we invited an international engineer. I don’t do substandard things, it is a sin.”

350 kilometres of roads across Osun

Adeleke stated his administration has built about 350 kilometres of roads in Osun. “If you come to Osun, you’ll see that I’ve constructed 350km of roads that cut across the state.”

He noted that his government has also worked on federal roads without getting paid. “As for federal roads, I have handled about eight or nine of them and I haven’t been paid.”

We installed solar lights on our roads

The governor highlighted that his administration has installed solar street lights along some roads. “As I’m speaking to you, I did not only build roads across Osun, I installed them with solar lights.” He said this was to boost security and economic growth.

Over 200 primary healthcare facilities upgraded

Adeleke also discussed his healthcare investments. He said more than 200 primary healthcare facilities have been upgraded. “As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards equipped with electricity and clean water.”

Adeleke denies Edenization of Osun

The governor dismissed claims that his administration focused development in his hometown, Ede. He said projects are spread across Osun.

“Reports of Edenisation in our administration is false. Yesterday, I just commissioned a flyover in Ile-Ife and I am not from Ile-Ife.” He also listed other areas with road projects.

“I have commissioned dualised road in Ila Orangun, Iwo, Osogbo, Ilesa etc., all built by our administration. Should I abandon Ede because it is my town?”

Opponents are jealous because they can’t dance

Adeleke addressed his dancing, which has been a talking point. He said it does not mean he is not serious about governance. “Those that can’t dance are jealous of me. In my family, we have music in our blood.”

He added that dancing does not stop him from working. “I dance and work. There is time to dance and there is time to work.”

I was promised a free and fair election

The governor acknowledged President Tinubu’s help during the recent EFCC freeze of the state government’s account. “I appreciate Mr President’s call during the recent EFCC freeze order on the state government’s account.”

He said he was also assured of a fair election. “I was promised a free and fair election by President Tinubu.”

I want state police

Adeleke expressed support for state police, saying he backed the idea even as a senator. “I believe in State Police, when I was in the Senate, I was part of the people that pushed for it.” He assured that state police would not be misused under his leadership.

“I can confidently say that under me as Governor, State Police will not be abused.”

I will defend Osun’s votes

With security issues around the election, Adeleke urged residents to vote peacefully. “I appreciate all the security deployments to ensure free and fair election in Osun.” He called on Osun’s people to vote and protect their votes.

“We are confident of victory, with the job we have done in the last three and half years.” He emphasized that residents would defend their votes.

“Despite recent security challenges, I am confident that Osun people will come out to vote and defend their votes.”

I love PDP

Adeleke also reflected on his political journey and leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its crisis. “I left the PDP to join Accord because of the crisis in the PDP then. I love PDP so much and it was difficult to leave.”

He expressed that he would have run as an independent candidate if it was allowed. “I would have run as an independent candidate in this election if it is allowed in Nigeria.”

Osun money will stay in Osun

Throughout the town hall, Adeleke aimed to show his administration focuses on infrastructure, workers’ welfare, and healthcare. He framed the August 15 election as a choice between his record and the APC’s return to power.

He urged residents to judge his administration based on its projects and performance, not just campaign talks. The August 15 election is expected to be a close contest, with Adeleke aiming for a second term against a strong challenge from the APC.