Oyebamiji Lacks Credentials to Criticise My Government, Says Adeleke

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Oyebamiji Lacks Credentials to Criticise My Government, Says Adeleke

By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed criticisms from the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, describing him as a public official with a poor record in government and lacking the credentials to fault his administration.

Adeleke, who spoke through his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said his administration has recorded remarkable achievements across key sectors, earning commendation from residents and independent assessment bodies.

Reacting to Oyebamiji’s comments on the performance of the current administration, the governor questioned the basis of the criticism.

“Is it because Osun under my watch has been awarded so many high grades in health, education, water, fiscal transparency and infrastructure, or what?” Adeleke asked.

The governor said his administration had delivered measurable progress in critical sectors and continued to enjoy widespread support from the people of the state.

According to him, the transformation of Osogbo and other parts of the state stands as evidence of his government’s commitment to development.

“Osogbo people today appreciate the upgrade of the capital city, hence the overwhelming endorsement of my re-election. Osogbo has changed from what it used to be under the Oyetola/Oyebamiji administration,” he said.

Highlighting achievements in education and healthcare, Adeleke noted that schools and health facilities across the state had undergone extensive rehabilitation, while teachers and health workers had benefited from improved welfare packages.

“Osun schools and health facilities witnessed coordinated rehabilitation alongside holistic welfare packages for teachers and health workers. Osun moved from 33rd under Oyetola/Oyebamiji to seventh position in NECO rating for 2024 and 2025. Is that not extraordinary progress?” he stated.

The governor also pointed to gains recorded in primary healthcare delivery.

“Osun came first in the South-West under primary healthcare access for both 2024 and 2025. A new rating put Osun public healthcare at number five position in efficiency and accessibility. Why is Oyebamiji not proud of such accomplishments by our administration?” he queried.

Adeleke criticised Oyebamiji’s opposition to the state’s local content policy, arguing that the initiative has strengthened indigenous businesses and ensured that public funds directly benefit residents and contractors within the state.

He also defended the contractors handling major infrastructure projects, including the Okefia and Lameco bridges, saying their competence had been demonstrated through the quality of work delivered.

“The competency of contractors handling Osun projects is attested to by the elegant deliveries of Okefia and Lameco bridges. Their qualifications for the job were also validated by the Nigerian Society of Engineers. They are delivering excellent jobs at Osogbo, Ila, Ilesa, Iwo, Ile-Ife and other towns in the state,” he said.

The governor denied allegations that contracts were awarded to incompetent firms, maintaining that all projects followed due process and complied with procurement regulations.

He further accused Oyebamiji of breaching procurement procedures in the management of a $20 million health grant and described the proposed Ido-Osun Aviation City project as a poorly conceived initiative inherited from the previous administration.

According to Adeleke, his government has been working to resolve complications surrounding the project.

The governor said Oyebamiji’s performance in previous public offices should form the basis for evaluating his suitability for higher office.

“The best test of Oyebamiji’s candidacy is his record of service at OSICOL, the Ministry of Finance and the waterways agency. In all those institutions, he left a trail of incompetence and administrative failure,” he said.

Adeleke expressed confidence that the people of Osun would continue to support his administration because of what he described as visible developmental strides across the state.

“My record as a governor is applauded even by my political enemies. We deliver despite the coordinated attacks by the Osun APC. Osun is enjoying democratic dividends, and our people will vote for the sustenance of good governance on August 15,” the governor said.