Political tensions are rising in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched a sharp critique of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, prompting a strong rebuttal from the state government.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, argued that there was no justification for voters to return Governor Adeleke to office when they head to the polls later this year.
The party questioned the governor’s leadership and cited what it described as several governance lapses under his administration.
“There is no single reason under the sun why Governor Ademola Adeleke should not be shown the way out of the Okefia Government House through the August 15, 2026 governorship election,” the statement said.
Among its criticisms, the APC revisited the long-running debate over Adeleke’s educational qualifications, noting that the Nigerian Constitution requires candidates seeking the governorship to possess at least a secondary school certificate.
The opposition party also accused the administration of financial mismanagement, arguing that the level of development in the state does not reflect the revenue received by the government.
According to the party, Osun State receives an average monthly allocation of about ₦11 billion, raising questions about how the funds have been utilised over the past three years.
The APC further alleged a lack of transparency in government projects, claiming that many initiatives lack publicly available details regarding contractors and project costs.
The statement also accused the governor of disregarding court rulings on issues related to local government administration and chieftaincy disputes involving traditional stools such as the Alawo of Awo, Owa of Igbajo, Akirun of Ikirun and Aree of Iree.
In addition, the party criticised the handling of matters within the state judiciary, including controversies surrounding attempts to remove the state Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo.
The APC also raised concerns over the condition of the Osun State House of Assembly complex, noting that lawmakers have been operating from alternative locations in Osogbo due to unresolved issues with the building.
The party accused the Adeleke administration of favouring the governor’s hometown of Ede in the distribution of development projects and government appointments.
It also faulted the recent recruitment of teachers into public schools, alleging that the exercise was unfairly distributed across local government areas.
According to the APC, 88 out of the 876 newly recruited teachers were from Ede, a figure the party described as disproportionate.
“We condemn in its entirety the modality for the teachers’ recruitment exercise which we rate as a sham,” the statement added, alleging that some positions were allocated through political patronage.
However, the Osun State Government dismissed the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
In a response, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the opposition’s claims did not reflect the administration’s achievements.
“The statement from the Osun APC is a manifestation of its depressive political quagmire due to deepening rejection by the people,” Rasheed said.
He highlighted several initiatives implemented by the government, including support programmes for cooperative societies, rural development projects and agricultural interventions.
Rasheed also cited improvements in the health and education sectors, stating that the administration had reconstructed more than 200 health centres and rehabilitated about 150 schools across the state.
According to him, the government has also undertaken extensive road construction and infrastructure development, including flyover projects and township road dualisation schemes.
The spokesperson further noted that the administration had improved workers’ welfare and reduced pension liabilities inherited from previous governments.
Rasheed maintained that Governor Adeleke remains eligible to contest the upcoming election, noting that issues surrounding his educational qualifications had already been addressed by the judiciary and validated by the electoral commission.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in political rhetoric as parties begin to position themselves ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship election in Osun State.
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