Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday defended his administration’s performance, dismissed allegations of vote-buying and “Edenisation”, and took fresh swipes at the All Progressives Congress and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke spoke during the Arise TV Town Hall Meeting for candidates participating in the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The governor, who is seeking a second term, highlighted his administration’s achievements in road construction, healthcare, workers’ welfare and other sectors, while also addressing criticism of his dancing at public events and his rivalry with the APC.

Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke during the townhall for Osun gubernatorial candidates…Photo Credit: Arise Tv

I was cheated in 2018

Recalling his political journey, Adeleke said his return to the governorship race in 2022 followed his decision to return to school after what he described as being cheated in the 2018 election.

“I was cheated in 2018. I went back to school and returned in 2022.”

He said his administration had since prioritised the welfare of residents and development across the state.

Adeleke also promised residents more projects if re-elected.

“More goodies are on the way.”

I don’t need to buy votes

The governor rejected allegations that his administration was engaging in vote-buying ahead of the election.

He said the state government lacked the resources to engage in such practices, noting that it had instead been using its resources to pay workers despite the withholding of local government allocations.

“As an administration, we do not have the resources to engage in vote buying. We have been using state resources to pay local government workers since our local government allocation was withheld almost two years ago.”

On Palliatives

Adeleke said he had also provided palliatives to workers since 2023.

“I do not need to buy votes to win election. I have been giving workers palliative since 2023. I believe in my work to speak for me.”

He accused the APC of resorting to vote-buying after years of what he described as poor governance.

“Their own method is after 12 years of not working, they will now share N50,000. Osun people are now wise.”

I am a bulldozer

Adeleke said he was not intimidated by the number of APC governors supporting his opponent in the election.

He described himself as a “bulldozer” and said the governors could campaign for the APC but would not be able to vote in Osun.

“I am not worried that I am contesting against a party that has 34 governors; I am a bulldozer. If they like, they should bring all their governors; they are all my friends. They are not the ones to come and vote here; they can only support their party.”

He added that some of the governors who campaigned against him later called to explain that they were only joking.

“They are my friends. After they left the campaign, they called me and said, ‘We are just joking o.’”

Oyetola is still suffering from the pain of defeat

The governor also revived his political rivalry with former Governor Oyetola, whom he defeated in the 2022 governorship election.

Adeleke alleged that Oyetola was using his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to create problems in Osun.

“Oyetola is still suffering from the pain of the defeat I gave him in the 2022 Osun State governorship election. He is using federal might because he is a cousin of President Tinubu to cause problems in Osun State.”

He, however, said he remained confident that the people of Osun would resist intimidation.

“Osun State people are ready, no amount of intimidation can stop them.”

Oyetola was discouraged from contesting against me

Adeleke also claimed that some APC members had told him about Oyetola’s alleged desire to return as governor.

According to him, Oyetola was discouraged from contesting directly because of his previous defeat.

“I have friends in the APC that tell me things, who informed me of Oyetola’s desire to run for a second term. He was discouraged because they knew he could not defeat me. They told him, ‘You cannot beat Imole.’”

The governor further accused the APC of bringing hardship to Osun residents, while claiming that his administration had cleared a backlog of pension payments to the tune of N80bn.

It is a sin to say my roads are substandard

Adeleke strongly defended the quality of infrastructure projects executed by his administration.

He said qualified engineers had certified the projects and dismissed claims that his government was delivering substandard roads.

“It is a sin to say that the roads I constructed are substandard. I used professional engineers. I used Nigerian engineers. I supervised their work.”

He said his administration had also invited international engineers to assess some of its projects.

“On the roads, I use certified engineers, I used Nigerian engineers, and we invited an international engineer. I don’t do substandard things, it is a sin. All the beautiful roads we have done have been certified.”

350 kilometres of roads across Osun

Adeleke said his administration had constructed about 350 kilometres of roads across Osun.

“If you come to Osun, you’ll see that I’ve constructed 350km of roads that cut across the state.”

He added that some federal roads had also been handled by his administration despite the state government not receiving payment for the work.

“As for federal roads, I have handled about eight or nine of them and I haven’t been paid.”

We installed solar lights on our roads

The governor said his administration had gone beyond road construction by installing solar street lights along some of the roads.

“As I’m speaking to you, I did not only build roads across Osun, I installed them with solar lights. This we did to provide security and enhance economic development.”

He said the projects were aimed not only at improving transportation but also at boosting economic activities and security.

Over 200 primary healthcare facilities upgraded

Adeleke also highlighted his administration’s investment in healthcare.

According to him, more than 200 primary healthcare facilities had been upgraded and rehabilitated.

“As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards equipped with electricity and clean water.”

Adeleke denies Edenization of Osun

The governor dismissed allegations that his administration had concentrated development in his hometown, Ede.

He said projects had been distributed across different parts of Osun.

“Reports of Edenisation in our administration is false. Yesterday, I just commissioned a flyover in Ile-Ife and I am not from Ile-Ife.”

Adeleke also listed other areas where his administration had undertaken road projects.

“I have commissioned dualised road in Ila Orangun, Iwo, Osogbo, Ilesa etc., all built by our administration. Should I abandon Ede because it is my town?”

Opponents are jealous because they can’t dance

Adeleke once again addressed his trademark dancing, which has become a recurring feature of his public appearances.

He rejected suggestions that his dancing was evidence that he was not serious about governance.

“Those that can’t dance are jealous of me. In my family, we have music in our blood. Nobody will stop me from dancing.”

He said dancing did not prevent him from performing his duties as governor.

“I dance and work. There is time to dance and there is time to work. I will teach them how to work if they want.

“I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellow. As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything, there is time to dance and there is time to work. Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors,” he said.

Okpebholo is uncivilised

Adeleke also took a swipe at Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over what he described as a lack of respect for fellow governors.

He criticised Okpebholo for allegedly failing to pay homage to the incumbent governor when visiting another state.

“It is only an uncivilised Governor like Okpebholo  that will go to another state and don’t pay homage to the incumbent Governor of such state.”

Adeleke said he had always respected governors when visiting their states.

“I’ve never been to another state without giving mutual regard and respect to the home state Governor.”

During the session, he referred to Okpebholo as “Opolo”, a Yoruba word for frog, prompting journalists to correct him.

I was promised a free and fair election

The governor also acknowledged Tinubu’s intervention during the recent freezing of the Osun State Government’s account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“I appreciate Mr President’s call during the recent EFCC freeze order on the state government’s account.”

He said he had also received an assurance of a free and fair election.

“I was promised a free and fair election by President Tinubu.”

I want state police

Adeleke expressed support for the establishment of state police, saying he had supported the idea even while serving as a senator.

“I believe in State Police, when I was in the Senate, I was part of the people that pushed for it.”

He assured that state police would not be abused under his administration.

“I can confidently say that under me as Governor, State Police will not be abused.”

I will defend Osun’s votes

With security concerns forming part of the election discourse, Adeleke urged residents to come out and vote peacefully.

“I appreciate all the security deployments to ensure free and fair election in Osun. I enjoin the good people of Osun State to go out and vote peacefully on Saturday.”

He expressed confidence in victory based on the performance of his administration.

“We are confident of victory, with the job we have done in the last three and half years.”

He also said residents would defend their votes.

“Despite recent security challenges, I am confident that Osun people will come out to vote and defend their votes.”

I love PDP

Adeleke also spoke about his political journey and his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party during the party’s internal crisis.

“I left the PDP to join Accord because of the crisis in the PDP then. I love PDP so much and it was difficult to leave.”

He said he would have contested as an independent candidate if Nigerian law allowed it.

“I would have run as an independent candidate in this election if it is allowed in Nigeria.”

Osun money will stay in Osun

Throughout the town hall, Adeleke sought to portray his administration as one focused on infrastructure, workers’ welfare, healthcare and human development, while presenting the August 15 election as a choice between his record and what he described as the APC’s return to power.

He maintained that residents should judge his administration by its projects and performance rather than campaign rhetoric.

The August 15 election is expected to be closely contested, with Adeleke seeking a second term amid a strong APC challenge.