The Osun State Government has faulted comments made by Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, on governance in the South-West, saying his assessment of developments in Osun was based on “insufficient information and wrong assumptions.”
In a statement signed by the spokesperson and Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the government said Chief Akintola’s criticism of Osun’s leadership failed to take into account the peculiar challenges inherited by the administration and the strides recorded so far.
According to the statement, Governor Adeleke has been in office for less than three years compared to other second-term South-West governors who have served for more than six years. Rasheed noted that Adeleke inherited a huge debt burden and arrears of half salaries and pensions running into over ₦100 billion, yet has not borrowed any funds since assuming office.
“Records from the Debt Management Office confirm that Governor Adeleke has reduced Osun’s debt by 40 percent while paying over ₦60 billion in outstanding pensions and workers’ entitlements. Workers’ welfare remains top on his governance agenda,” the statement read.
On infrastructure, the government explained that Adeleke completed the Osogbo–Ikirun dual carriageway, a federal road, within his first 100 days in office and has since extended it towards Okuku, with work ongoing to the Kwara border. It also clarified that the Iwo–Osogbo road, awarded without funding by the previous administration, has been revived under three contractors with work currently progressing.
Rasheed further stated that under the multi-billion naira Infrastructure Plan launched in 2023, the Adeleke administration has delivered 350 kilometres of roads across the 30 local governments, rehabilitated 200 health centres, refurbished 150 schools, sunk 332 boreholes, and advanced major projects including the Okefia and Lameco flyovers, the Ilesa and Ile-Ife dualisation projects, and the Osogbo stadium.
The statement also drew attention to the withholding of Osun’s local government allocations for the past seven months, which it said has compelled the state to finance salaries of primary school teachers, LG workers, traditional councils, and health staff.
“It is surprising that the learned silk has not lent his voice to calls for the release of Osun’s seized allocations, yet he chose to criticise the state government that is reconstructing federal roads without reimbursement,” the statement added.
While stressing that Adeleke maintains cordial relations with the Presidency and has received several federal recognitions, the government described as “false” any insinuation that Osun is isolated from federal partnerships.
“Governor Adeleke welcomes constructive criticism, but such interventions must be fact-based and fair. Rather than casting unfounded aspersions, respected elders like Chief Akintola are urged to verify information before going public,” Rasheed concluded.
