A heated debate has erupted in Osun State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) offer sharply contrasting assessments of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. While the APC accuses the governor of wasteful spending, the CSOs praise him for significant achievements in governance and development.
During an event marking the governor’s second anniversary in office, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi criticized Adeleke’s handling of the state’s finances. Olabisi claimed that Osun received a staggering N385 billion from January 2023 to September 2024, including grants such as N4.3 billion from UBEC and N1.3 billion from TETFUND. He alleged that despite this influx of funds, key sectors remain underdeveloped.
“From January 2023 to September 2024, Osun State received N385 billion, yet the impact on infrastructure and economic growth is minimal. Instead, the governor has focused on his office, which saw a 170% budget increase,” Olabisi stated.
The APC further pointed out discrepancies between federal allocations and visible development, comparing the current N153 billion allocation as of September 2024 to the N73 billion received in 2022.
In stark contrast, the coalition of CSOs praised Adeleke’s administration for what they called credible and people-centered governance. Comrade Declan Ihekaire, the coalition’s spokesperson, shared findings from their statewide assessment, highlighting improvements in infrastructure, human development, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
“Residents across major towns reported positive changes and a government that listens to their concerns. Our evaluation shows that Governor Adeleke’s two-year performance surpasses that of his predecessor,” Ihekaire noted.
