The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rebuffed criticisms from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the re-election endorsements of Governor Ademola Adeleke. In a statement issued on Monday, Sunday Bisi, the PDP Chairman in Osun, described the APC’s remarks as baseless and a clear indication of desperation.
Bisi emphasized that the opposition’s criticism represented a rejection of the people’s democratic will, asserting that the overwhelming support for Governor Adeleke cannot be disregarded. “The APC must purge itself of the arrogance of not recognising the will of the people,” he stated. “No amount of propaganda will negate the fact that Osun residents are solidly behind Governor Adeleke.”
Highlighting the governor’s accomplishments, Bisi pointed out Adeleke’s leadership in initiating and completing crucial infrastructural projects, such as roads and bridges, which had previously been neglected by the APC administration. He added that the APC’s failed governance had left behind significant challenges, which Adeleke’s administration is diligently addressing. “Osun people are not blind to the progress being made,” Bisi said.
On the issue of teacher disengagement, which the APC raised, Bisi dismissed the claims as unfounded, stating that no evidence had been provided to support the allegation of teacher dismissals. The PDP chairman also outlined the strides made by the Adeleke administration in education, noting that over 100 public schools had been rehabilitated, facilities improved, and new teachers are being recruited. He emphasized that the current administration had inherited a dilapidated education sector, which it has worked tirelessly to improve.
In the healthcare sector, Bisi pointed to the rehabilitation and equipping of about 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), which had suffered neglect under the APC. He also criticized the APC for mismanaging a $20.5 million World Bank grant intended for health infrastructure. “It’s ironic that those responsible for neglect are now criticising the progress being made,” he remarked.
The APC had previously criticized Adeleke’s recent re-election endorsements, with Kola Olabisi, the party’s Director of Media and Information, claiming that such endorsements would not secure the governor’s position in the 2026 governorship election. Olabisi accused the PDP administration of mismanaging state resources, particularly criticizing the accommodation of lawmakers in hotels during the renovation of their official quarters.
The APC also raised concerns about the lack of new teacher recruitment in Osun public schools, highlighting that while neighboring states are hiring teachers, Osun has not employed any in over two years. Furthermore, the APC questioned the reported dismissal of 1,500 teachers and numerous health workers, alleging that these actions could have long-term consequences for the state’s education sector.
The ongoing political back-and-forth underscores the intense rivalry between the ruling PDP and the opposition APC as the state moves toward future elections.
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