Ibaje eniyan, ko da ise oluwa duro. Here in Osun State, if there is any problem the state is having, it is the problem of having an attention seeking and shallow opposition party, the APC. The state is burdened with a rudderless and unthoughtful opposition party whose main aim is to destabilize the governance affairs of state with the myopic mindset of getting power through crooks or any other undemocratic means.
This has flawlessly failed through the great wisdom deployed by Mr. Governor and his brilliant team in handling the myopic folks in the opposition party. The opposition leaders have shown how academic literacy does not stop a person from being a dunce.
Amidst the shenanigans of the opposition actions, Governor Adeleke has stood out as a man determined, prepared, and sent for the transformative and liberating assignment in the state. The recent laudable achievement is the news of the resolved battle between the state government and Thors Exploration firm centered majorly on the state shares. The diplomatic approach employed by the governor has shown his commitment to attract investors to the state and at the same time protect the interest of the people by ensuring the necessary dues are remitted appropriately.
The resolution of the longstanding dispute with the Segilola Mining Company which is a subsidiary of Thors Exploration firm, did not only address the shareholding dispute, but also settled several key issues like tax payment, environmental degradation concerns, and disputed mining fields. This wouldn’t have been made possible without the help of the unbiased minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Dele Henry Alake who facilitated a tripartite meeting.
The dispute between the state government and the mining company revolved around ensuring that Osun State and the host community, Iperindo, receive their due entitlement as stated in the laws.
Past administrations failed to claim Osun’s rightful shares in the mining company, despite being offered the opportunity. Instead, they either turned a blind eye or engaged in questionable dealings that left the state short-changed. Governor Adeleke, however, took a principled stance, ensuring that the state’s interests are protected and that the mining company follow through its commitment to Osun’s development.
The resolution of this dispute sends a clear message: Governor Adeleke will not compromise on the rights of Osun people. Unlike his predecessors who neglected this crucial economic opportunity, he has demonstrated bold leadership by securing what rightfully belongs to the state. His administration’s insistence on transparency and accountability has made Segilola Mining Company recognize Osun State as a legitimate shareholder, a feat that previous governments failed to achieve.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the timing. As Governor Adeleke secures economic gains for Osun, certain elements within the opposition party, who are enemies of the state, are desperately trying to destabilize the state. The latest ploy from the APC is a clear indication of their frustration and desperation. Instead of engaging in constructive opposition, they resort to fabrications and chaos, hoping to derail a government that is delivering results.
The APC’s newfound obsession with throwing the state in chaos is laughable and concerning. Their justification? The rightful enforcement of the law against the illegally occupied local government councils. The October 15 council election was declared null and void by the court, yet the beneficiaries of this illegal process attempted to forcefully take over the 30 councils on the 17 of February. When their illegality was rejected, they turned to Abuja, crying for a state of emergency as though their political misfortunes were a justification for undermining democracy.
It is no surprise that the APC has refused to acknowledge the government’s victory in the mining dispute. They have attempted to downplay this important victory for the state, yet they cannot answer one fundamental question: why did the last administration refuse to claim Osun State’s shares and entitlements? Was it an oversight, incompetence, or something more sinister? The fact that Governor Adeleke has accomplished in a short time what the APC government failed to do in four years or even more, exposes their lack of foresight and sincerity in governance.
More troubling is the opposition’s reaction to the mining dispute. They seem agitated, as though something valuable has slipped from their grasp. This raises suspicion about possible under-the-table dealings between the past administration and the mining company. If the APC had nothing to hide, why are they pained that Governor Adeleke secured Osun’s rightful benefits?
In their desperation to twist the narrative, the opposition has resorted to a new conspiracy: the claim that Segilola Mining Company is owned by Dr. Deji Adeleke, the governor’s elder brother. This ridiculous assertion is meant to create unnecessary controversy. However, even if we entertain their baseless claim for a moment, it further highlights Governor Adeleke’s integrity. If Dr. Deji Adeleke truly owned the company, yet Governor Adeleke still insisted on securing Osun’s shares rather than engaging in backdoor deals, does it not prove that he prioritizes the state’s interests over personal or family gains?
The fact remains that the APC’s attempt to link Dr. Deji Adeleke to Segilola Mining Company is an admission of their failure. If they were aware of such an ownership structure, why did they not leverage it to benefit the state during their tenure? Was it Dr. Deji Adeleke who stopped them from claiming Osun’s rightful entitlements? Their controversy collapses under its own contradictions, exposing their lack of direction and credibility.
Governor Adeleke should be applauded for achieving what his predecessor failed to achieve. The previous administrations were allowed to claim Osun’s shares, yet they deliberately refused to take it. Why? Could it be because they preferred shady deals over transparency? Governor Adeleke’s ability to retrieve Osun’s rightful stake in the company proves that he is not interested in personal enrichment but in advancing the economic interests of the state.
This achievement also speaks to his governance style—one rooted in pragmatism and justice. He has consistently shown that his administration is about the people, not about political alliances or personal benefits. His leadership in this matter demonstrates his commitment to ensuring that Osun people are not short-changed in any economic dealings within the state.
As expected, the opposition continues in its rudderless approach, trying to water down various achievements of the Adeleke-led administration as his style of governance seems alienated from them. Governor Adeleke remains undistracted. While the opposition plots distractions, he is focused on governance. While they attempt to stir chaos, he is bringing in economic gains. While they call for a state of emergency, he is resolving disputes that benefit Osun people. This is the difference between a leader with vision and a party drowning in its own irrelevance.
His ability to secure Osun’s rightful stake in Segilola Mining Company at this critical time proves that he is a governor who cannot be intimidated. He took on powerful interests and emerged victorious. He stood firm where predecessor compromised. He fought for Osun people when others failed them.
On the other hand, the APC’s frustration is rooted in their loss of control over Osun’s resources. Their dream was to continue milking the state dry, but Governor Adeleke has blocked those avenues. Their tantrums over the mining dispute expose their bitterness, not their concern for the people.
As the dust settles, Osun people will remember how Governor Adeleke has been fighting for their economic rights while the opposition fought to protect their hidden interests. They will remember that while Governor Adeleke was reclaiming their entitlements, the APC was crying to Abuja scheming on how to hinder development of the state and other good works of Governor Adeleke.
This victory in the mining dispute is a reminder that Osun is in capable hands. Governor Adeleke is proving daily that leadership is about action, not empty promises. He is demonstrating that governance is about securing benefits for the people, not about political maneuvering. With this achievement, the governor has set a new standard in leadership—one that prioritizes the people over politics, transparency over secrecy, and development over distractions.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is undistracted. His focus remains on delivering dividends of democracy to Osun people. No amount of political noise will derail his mission. The APC can cry, fabricate, and scheme, but Osun people can see the difference. They know who is working for them and who is working against them. As Osun continues to move forward under Adeleke’s leadership, the people will continue to rally behind the governor who has their best interests at heart and ensures he gets a second term. The distractions will come and go, but Governor Ademola Adeleke will remain undistracted, delivering progress for Osun State.
The opening paragraph Yoruba proverb is best to describe the governance situation in Osun State under the leadership of Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. Many things that were said to be impossible in state history have been easily achieved by the current administration without shifting the economic burden on the workers or the people. And as expected the opposition party will rather hallucinate than acknowledge the great worker of Mr Performer.
Permit me to rephrase the proverb to “Ibaje Osun APC ko da ise rere Demola Adeleke duro.”
- James Bamgbose writes from Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government, Osun State. He can be reached via bamgbosejames9@gmail.com
