By Boluwatife Adedokun
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday defended his administration’s stewardship, declaring that the state’s visible development projects and improved performance indicators were proof that public funds had not been mismanaged under his watch.
Speaking at the flag-off of his re-election campaign at Freedom Park, Osogbo, Adeleke said critics accusing his government of financial impropriety should look at the transformation recorded across sectors since he assumed office in 2022.
“If I embezzle money, Osun will not be like this,” the governor said while reeling out achievements of his administration before thousands of supporters gathered for the campaign launch.
Adeleke cited improvements in education, healthcare, water supply, infrastructure and fiscal transparency as evidence of what he described as prudent management of state resources.
The governor said Osun had moved from 33rd position in 2022 to seventh position in the National Examinations Council ranking, while also emerging first in the South-West in the national primary healthcare challenge for two consecutive years.
He further claimed that the state’s debt profile had reduced by over 40 per cent and that Osun had attained full compliance in BudgIT’s 2025 fiscal transparency assessment.
Launching his campaign for a second term under the Accord Party, Adeleke assured supporters that the party would remain on the ballot for the August 15 governorship election despite ongoing legal disputes surrounding its status.
“Accord will be on the ballot; your votes will count; and I will be re-elected as your governor on August 15th,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to renew his criticism of the police over the lingering local government leadership crisis in the state, directing the Commissioner of Police to withdraw protection allegedly being provided to what he described as illegally occupying council officials.
He equally accused the United Bank for Africa of collaborating with court-sacked local government chairmen and demanded accountability for what he called diverted council funds.
Adeleke said his administration had fulfilled major campaign promises through payment of inherited salary and pension liabilities, school rehabilitation, healthcare interventions, agricultural mechanisation and expansion of the state’s digital economy.
Seeking another four-year mandate, the governor unveiled an updated five-point agenda focusing on youth and women’s welfare, infrastructure development, agro-industrial growth, affordable healthcare and education, as well as job creation through an improved business environment.
He also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing the backing as “unshaken and total.”
Adeleke urged supporters to intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the governorship poll, insisting that democracy and the rule of law would prevail.
“We cannot and must not go back to the dark days. We must rise and defend our democratic rights,” he said.
