By Oluwaseun Olamiposi Arewa
The recent press conference by the Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging mismanagement of state resources and failure of governance under Governor Ademola Adeleke, is nothing more than a desperate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a progressive PDP administration in Osun State.
These claims, riddled with inaccuracies and political malice, highlight the APC’s inability to engage in constructive opposition and its frustration with the visible transformation occurring in Osun State under Governor Adeleke’s leadership.
For the record purposes, since the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed power at national level, the economy has suffered significantly under their administration. Their governance has been characterized by a series of unrealistic and poorly executed policies, resulting in untold hardship for the average citizens.
The policies of naira redesign to removal of fuel subsidies, to skyrocketing inflation, to a weakened currency. These initiatives often appear disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, the APC’s economic strategies have left the nation in a dire state. This, in turn, led to a sharp increase in the prices of food, electricity tariffs, cooking gas and other goods and services, making it nearly impossible for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities. The ripple effect of their policies were felt across states and all sectors of the economy, compounding the financial struggles of households and businesses alike. The failure to address these rising costs has left many battling with poverty and hunger.
The APC also promised to create jobs and diversify the economy, but these pledges remain largely unfulfilled. Unemployment has risen to record highs, with millions of youths unable to find meaningful work. Perhaps most damaging is the erosion of trust in the APC led government due to their inconsistency and lack of foresight. Yet they have the courage to be focusing on a leadership that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens and implementing policies with both foresight and compassion.
It is therefore essential to examine the facts and provide a more balanced view of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration for all to see through the myopic lens of a biased mind in Osun APC apologetics.
- Fiscal Transparency and Financial Prudence
The APC’s allegation of mismanaging #630 billion in 24 months is unsubstantiated, laughable and devoid of substance that is only based on wrong assumption. APC is widely known for their gimmicky ways of distorting facts and figure to deceive and instigate unsuspecting members of the public that Governor Adeleke is reckless in spending.
According to the state’s financial records, the government has made significant investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Governor Adeleke’s administration has prioritized transparency in revenue management through regular public disclosures and independent audits. These audits confirm that state funds are being judiciously utilized for development and to clear the backlog of debts left by APC-led administrations.
Still in our memories, we remembered what we witnessed during APC regime in Osun, the state economy suffered not only from poor governance but also from an alarming increase in borrowing, despite the substantial allocations the government received. Their mismanagement of resources left Osun in a state of economic paralysis, burdening future administrations with massive debt and stalling development. The APC’s tenure exemplified fiscal irresponsibility on an unprecedented scale.
Their administration engaged in excessive borrowing, both domestically and internationally. Much of these loans were justified as being necessary for infrastructure development, but the results on ground failed to reflect the scale of borrowed funds. Critical projects remained incomplete, and the funds often disappeared into a black hole of mismanagement and corruption.
This borrowing spree plunged the state into a debt crisis, with debt servicing consuming a significant portion of the state’s revenue. This left little room for investment in key sectors like education, healthcare, and job creation. Consequently, the economy became more fragile, and the standard of living for the average Osun continued to decline. The APC’s financial recklessness placed immense pressure to the extent that the state at a time was unable to pay workers salaries or meet other basic obligations. This pattern of mismanagement created a financial black hole, leaving the current administration led by the visionary Governor Ademola Adeleke with the enormous task of cleaning up the economic mess.
It is ironic that the same APC, which plunged the state into a financial quagmire through reckless borrowing and unpaid salaries, now accuses the Adeleke administration of financial mismanagement. Unlike the APC’s era of unaccountability, this administration has ensured the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions promptly while simultaneously driving infrastructural development.
- Unparalleled Commitment to Workers’ Welfare
The APC’s claim of lip service to workers’ welfare is both dishonest and hypocritical. Governor Adeleke has released over #22.6 billion to settle pension and gratuity arrears, a feat unmatched by any previous administration. These arrears were liabilities inherited from the APC government, which prioritized white elephant projects over the welfare of workers and pensioners.
Furthermore, the Adeleke administration has implemented policies to ensure that workers are not just paid promptly but are also supported with training and opportunities to enhance their productivity. This is a sharp contrast to the APC’s infamous era of half-salary payments, which crippled the morale of workers and brought untold hardship to families.
- Education: Correcting Years of Neglect
The APC’s claims about education expose their ignorance and lack of vision. Governor Adeleke inherited a broken education system, characterized by dilapidated schools, unmotivated teachers, and a legacy of mass failure. Within two years, Governor Ademola Adeleke administration has reversed this decline by rehabilitating over 500 schools across the state; providing learning materials to students and training programs for teachers; improving access to quality education, with a particular focus on rural communities and even establishing new schools such as the recently established government school in Igbologbo, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial High School, Igbologbo, Off Ilesha Bye Pass, Opa, Ile-Ife.
The claim of “satanic fees” at the University of Ilesa (UNILESA) is not only misleading but also laughable. UNILESA’s tuition fees are structured to sustain the university while ensuring affordability, we hope the APC members are aware that students admitted into the Faculty of Education will be schooling without paying tuition fee. Governor Adeleke’s administration has initiated scholarship programs and plans to partner with private organizations for funding to ease the financial burden on students.
By contrast, the APC during their time neglected tertiary education, leaving behind a legacy of poorly funded institutions and unfulfilled promises.
- Healthcare Revolution
The APC’s critique of the health sector is a glaring case of hypocrisy. The Adeleke administration has renovated and equipped over 300 primary healthcare centers; hired additional medical personnel to fill critical gaps left by the APC’s neglect; expanded healthcare access to rural areas, ensuring that no Osun resident is left behind.
The APC’s laughable claim of “painting health centers” shows their inability to comprehend the scale of the improvements made. Under the APC, Osun’s health system was a disaster, with facilities lacking basic equipment and personnel. The current administration is cleaning up their mess.
- Agriculture and Food Security: A Clear Vision
The APC’s allegations about agriculture ignore the numerous initiatives launched to boost food security and empower farmers. Governor Adeleke’s administration has distributed fertilizers, seedlings, and other inputs to thousands of farmers; purchased tractors to easy farming and has partnered with private investors to establish agro-processing centers; launched a statewide campaign to promote mechanized farming.
These efforts are already yielding results, with increased agricultural output and improved livelihoods for farmers. The APC’s criticism is not only baseless but an admission of their failure to prioritize agriculture during their time in office.
- Infrastructure and Equitable Development
Governor Adeleke’s infrastructure strategy focuses on people-centered development rather than politically motivated projects, no wonder the people’s Governor has no abandoned project as work is seen going on at every location simultaneously without hitch.
The relocation of the Ido-Osun Airport project to Ede is a case in point. It is on record that it was APC led government deliberate action that technically truncated and arbitrarily abandoned the Airport in Ido-Osun. The government of APC previously carved out and subsequently ceded about 100 acres out of the original land mass to the Nigerian Air Force for the start up of Aviation City project. A step that have drastically reduced the mapped out size, a carefully calculated attempt to make sure that such laudable initiative is stalled and faced out.
It was even alleged that the move was politically motivated and was purposely designed by former governor Oyetola to eradicate every atom of his predecessor, as it’s evident in some areas that I wouldn’t want to deviate into. Governor Ademola Adeleke on the other hand is only trying all his possible best within his capacity to resuscitate the project thereby reestablishing Osun State as one of the States in Nigeria with a Domestic Commercial Airport. This decision will only ensures optimal use of our collective resources and addresses the needs for such project rather than banking on the excuses of inadequate land area.
By contrast, the APC’s tenure was marred by poorly conceived projects that drained state resources without delivering tangible benefits. It is the height of hypocrisy for the APC to accuse Governor Adeleke of impropriety when they failed to deliver on critical infrastructure during their time in power.
- Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction
Under Governor Adeleke, Osun State has witnessed significant economic growth driven by strategic investments in infrastructure, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship programs. Initiatives such as the Osun Tech Innovation Hub and the Osun SME Fund are providing opportunities for young people and small businesses to thrive.
The APC’s criticism of these efforts reeks of envy, as their own administration failed to deliver similar programs despite having greater revenue inflows.
- Baseless Accusations and Exaggerations
The APC’s claim that the Adeleke administration spent #38 billion on personal comfort is absurd and unsubstantiated. Governor Adeleke’s leadership is characterized by humility and service. Unlike the APC era, where opulence was the order of the day, this administration prioritizes the people over personal gain.
Similarly, the APC’s allegations about inflated laptop costs and phantom tractors are figments of their imagination, designed to distract from their abysmal performance when they were in power.
Conclusively, it is audible to the deaf and visible to the blind that the hypocrisy of the APC is exposed. The achievements and progress made by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration are so evident and impressive that they cannot be denied or ignored, even by those who may be opposed to the administration.
Therefore, the APC’s baseless attacks on Governor Adeleke are nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention from their own failures. They left Osun State in a state of financial distress, social disarray, and infrastructural decay. Governor Adeleke has spent the last two years cleaning up their mess while laying the foundation for sustainable growth and development.
It is crystal clear that the APC has no vision for Osun State beyond propaganda and falsehoods. Governor Adeleke remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun, undeterred by the tantrums of an opposition desperation to stay and remain relevant despite their total rejection from Osun populace drawing from the results of previous election where people speak through the ballot in all fronts to rebuke the Anti People’s Congress parading themselves as All Progressive Congress. What tangible achievement can be traced to the party rather than intimidation, harassment and unquantified callousness.
The APC is encouraged to abandon their politics of bitterness and engage in constructive opposition. The people of Osun deserve better than lies and theatrics.
E-Signed,
Comrade Oluwaseun Olamiposi Arewa,
The special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State
