The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has criticized the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, branding it as “wasteful” and asserting that the governor’s accomplishments do not justify the substantial federal allocations the state has received.
In a statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday during the governor’s second anniversary celebration, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi alleged that the state received N385 billion in federal allocations between January 2023 and September 2024, yet little of it has been reflected in meaningful development projects.
Olabisi pointed out discrepancies in the state’s revenue use, noting that Osun received N385 billion from federal allocations, grants, and internally generated revenue (IGR), including N4.3 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and N1.3 billion from TETFUND for education infrastructure improvements. These figures do not include the federation allocation, which has doubled since the removal of subsidies.
“Despite this financial boost, Governor Adeleke has ignored vital economic sectors while significantly increasing funding to his office, which saw a 170% performance rise,” Olabisi stated.
He further compared the state’s financial situation, revealing that Osun received N73 billion in federal allocation in 2022 before debt deductions, but this had risen to N153 billion by September 2024, surpassing the N99 billion initially projected for the year.
In stark contrast, a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has praised Governor Adeleke for what it described as credible and effective service delivery.
Spokesperson for the coalition, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, shared findings from their week-long assessment of Osun, which involved visits to major towns including Ife, Ede, Ilesa, Osogbo, and Ifon Osun.
“Our discussions with residents and evaluations of government projects show notable improvements in infrastructure, human development, and governance under Governor Adeleke. Citizens describe his administration as people-oriented, responsive to their needs, and dedicated to progress,” Ihekaire stated.
He also compared the current administration favorably with its predecessor:
“From our independent assessment, Governor Adeleke’s achievements over the past two years surpass those of his predecessor, warranting recognition for his developmental efforts.”
While opinions remain divided, the contrasting evaluations highlight the ongoing political and social debate surrounding Governor Adeleke’s leadership and the state’s fiscal management.
