Adeleke’s Remark on Iwo Was Made in a sarcastic manner and not intended, Says Spokesperson
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has clarified that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent remark suggesting that Iwo looked like a village before the intervention of his administration was made in a sarcastic manner and not intended to disparage the town or its residents.
The governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, made the clarification while reacting to public reactions that followed the governor’s comment.
According to Rasheed, Governor Adeleke made the statement while responding to allegations that his administration’s infrastructure projects were concentrated in Ede.
He explained that the governor was outlining the widespread distribution of developmental projects across the state when the remark was made in a light-hearted manner.
“When he was to mention Iwo, he looked at me and jokingly uttered those statements. The governor’s infrastructure projects are not about any individual but a state policy which he unveiled in 2023, covering all sectors of Osun society,” Rasheed said.
He noted that the administration had implemented the first and second phases of its multi-billion naira infrastructure programme in 2023 and 2024, with projects spread across Osogbo, Ila, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ikirun, Iwo and several other communities in the state.
The spokesperson further stated that Iwo had benefited significantly from the government’s development agenda.
“Aside from the Iwo township road dualisation, Mr Governor has reconstructed eight other roads in Iwo. Upgrading infrastructure in Iwo is a state policy, not an individual matter,” he said.
Rasheed stressed that Governor Adeleke holds the people of Iwo in high regard and values their contributions to the success of his administration.
“The governor holds Iwo in high esteem and he has many top aides and officials from the town who have supported and promoted the administration’s vision for the development of the state and the growth of Iwo,” he added.
He urged residents and stakeholders to disregard attempts to politicise the governor’s comments.
“I therefore urge our people to ignore those trying to make political capital out of mere sarcastic remarks. Our governor loves and highly respects the people of Iwo,” Rasheed said.
