The Osun State Government has launched a strong defence of the Ademola Adeleke administration, dismissing 14 allegations being circulated by opposition elements as false, misleading and politically motivated.
In a 14-point fact-check document, the government addressed controversies surrounding the quality of its infrastructure projects, the companies handling government contracts, security challenges, public expenditure, the Ido-Osun Airport, distribution of projects, the governor’s control of government, agricultural tractors, workers employed by the previous administration, university fees and Governor Adeleke’s penchant for dancing.
Infrastructure projects meet global standards, govt says
The government rejected claims that infrastructure projects executed under the Adeleke administration were substandard or of poor quality.
It said the projects were being handled by experienced and COREN-certified engineers and were conceived and executed in accordance with global best practices.
The government added that the projects had also been subjected to technical validation by a technical mission of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
It equally dismissed allegations that major projects were awarded to companies without expertise in the construction sector, saying all companies engaged by the administration had undergone due diligence, due process and procurement procedures.
According to the government, the companies also have tested COREN-certified professionals among their staff and are competent and well-established in the construction sector.
Why Osun engages local contractors
Responding to claims that the state government was engaging incompetent local companies instead of multinational construction firms such as Julius Berger, the administration said its policy was anchored on local content.
The government said the policy was intended to build the capacity of local companies, ensure that money belonging to Osun benefits its people, develop local construction skills and boost local economies.
It stressed that the local content policy places strong emphasis on quality and adherence to best construction practices.
'No new bridge has collapsed'
The government also rejected claims that newly constructed bridges in the state were collapsing because of poor construction.
It said no new bridge had collapsed, describing two reported incidents as opposition propaganda and sabotage.
According to the government, a section of the road on one of the bridges was drilled and hammered by opposition elements. It said the affected portion was immediately rehabilitated, while security personnel were deployed to protect the infrastructure.
The administration further said the other incident involved a road constructed under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola at Ile-Ife.
It alleged that opposition elements had presented the road as one constructed by the current administration at Modakeke.
The government said the GPS location of the road was subsequently made public and showed that it was located in Ile-Ife and not Modakeke, contrary to what it described as APC propaganda.
Adeleke not responsible for insecurity, govt alleges
The administration also denied allegations that Governor Adeleke was sponsoring insecurity or was responsible for killings and attacks across the state.
The government described Adeleke as a peace-loving leader who had instructed his supporters not to retaliate despite what it described as constant attacks and killings.
It alleged that Accord had lost seven of its members, while 20 others had sustained gunshot injuries and more than 60 members were currently being held in what it described as illegal police detention.
The government further alleged that APC thugs were regularly accompanied by police officers who invaded and arrested Accord leaders across the state.
It maintained that facts in the public domain showed Accord members as the victims, while APC members and the police were the aggressors.
Osun govt denies Adeleke spent N92bn on entertainment
The government also denied the allegation that Governor Adeleke spent N92 billion on entertainment through the governor’s office over the last three years.
It explained that the governor’s office comprises eight agencies with separate budget sub-headings.
According to the administration, the governor’s office does not concern the governor alone, as the agencies domiciled within it operate their own budgets and implement their respective listed projects.
The government therefore said the governor did not spend N92 billion on entertainment as alleged.
Airport remains at Odo-Osun, says govt
The administration also dismissed claims that it moved the Ido-Osun Airport to Ede for political vendetta.
It said the airport was handed over to the Nigerian Airforce by former Governor Oyetola for what was described as an aviation city and training centre.
According to the government, the facts surrounding the arrangement are in the public domain.
It maintained that the airport remains at Odo-Osun but is currently under the Airforce arrangement signed by Oyetola.
'Edenisation agenda is fake news'
The government also described the alleged “Edenisation agenda” being attributed to Governor Adeleke as fake news.
It said Adeleke launched the Osun Infra Agenda in December 2022, with the programme covering all local government areas through multi-sectoral projects.
The second phase, according to the government, was launched in December 2023 and targeted Ila Orangun, Iwo, Ilesa, Ede and Ile-Ife.
The administration said all the mega projects under the second phase had been completed and were being commissioned.
It also maintained that the government adopts and enforces equity and fairness in the distribution of its infrastructure projects.
Govt cites inflation, lists projects
Responding to claims that the Adeleke administration earns more revenue than the former Oyetola government but mismanages the funds, the government said comparisons must take into account current inflation and exchange rates.
It argued that the cost of construction before 2022 could not be compared directly with current costs.
According to the administration, construction costs have risen by more than 500 per cent.
The government listed some of its achievements as 350 kilometres of roads, three flyover bridges, six dualised roads, 150 renovated schools, more than 200 renovated health centres and 31 tractors.
It also cited progress towards the near liquidation of inherited half-salary and pension debts.
The administration consequently maintained that there was value for the money flowing into Osun State.
'Adeleke firmly in control'
The government rejected allegations that Governor Adeleke is not in control of the state government and that his brother and sister are running the administration.
It said the governor holds the “red pen” and makes decisions and approvals as stipulated by law and executive procedures.
The government described Adeleke as a listening governor who receives advice and counsel from top officials, cabinet members, advisers, family members and people from far and near.
It stressed that neither the governor’s brother nor sister is a member of the cabinet or holds any position in the administration.
“Mr Governor is firmly in control of his government,” the administration stated.
Why only 31 tractors have been delivered
The government also dismissed allegations that the governor deceived the public by announcing plans to acquire more than 100 tractors but delivering only 31.
It explained that Adeleke had announced plans to purchase more than 100 tractors in three batches.
The first batch of 31 tractors, it said, had been purchased and deployed to the field.
According to the government, the tractors had ploughed more than 400 hectares of land since their deployment.
It said financial constraints caused by the withholding of local government allocation forced the state government to use its resources to pay workers on the local government payroll.
As a result, the purchase of additional tractors was put on hold pending an improvement in the state’s finances.
The government also alleged that previous APC administrations did not purchase a single tractor for 12 years.
Adeleke govt explains employment of Oyetola-era workers
The administration denied claims that Governor Adeleke sacked workers employed by the Oyetola administration.
It alleged that the workers were employed after Oyetola lost the 2022 election in an attempt to “set up landmines” for the incoming Adeleke administration.
The government said their employment had not been concluded when the previous administration left office and alleged that the recruitment was carried out in contravention of standard procedures and rules.
UNILESA, UNIOSUN fees defended
The government also rejected claims that fees at the University of Ilesa, UNILESA, were deliberately made expensive to punish poor students.
It explained that fees for medical and law students were relatively higher because of the high standards and facilities required to train medical and law graduates.
The administration said that, when compared with other institutions, the fees charged by UNILESA and the Osun State University, UNIOSUN, were even cheaper.
'Adeleke's dancing does not affect governance'
On criticism of the governor’s dancing, the government rejected the suggestion that Adeleke’s public dancing was a sign of unseriousness.
It described the governor as a “tough hearted” individual who is deeply devoted to serving Osun State.
The government maintained that his dancing had no impact on his ability to govern and insisted that he delivers on all fronts.
It added that Adeleke regards his dancing as praise singing to his creator and also considers it a symbol of gratitude to God for elevating him.
The Osun State Government concluded that the 14 allegations being circulated against the Adeleke administration were falsehoods and opposition propaganda, while presenting its explanations on the issues as a defence of the governor’s record in office.
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