With days to go before the Osun State governorship election, Ademola Adeleke, incumbent Governor and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, APC challenger, locked horns during a fiery town hall debate in Osogbo, trading sharp accusations over ₦650 billion in allocations, federal influence, and state security.
Reacting to the performance, Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, praised the governor, describing his presentation as “too powerful and excellently delivered,” adding that Adeleke “spoke brilliantly as a governor who has worked for the people and has results to show.” Olajengbesi also claimed that the APC candidate fled the venue citing stomach issues, an allegation the APC camp dismissed as baseless political propaganda.
Speaking at the Arise News Townhall Meeting moderated by Reuben Abati Lasisi Olagunju. Festus Adedayo and Adesuwa Omoruan, frontline candidates, laid out their visions while defending their records before the electorate.
Governor Adeleke of the Accord Party rejected allegations that his administration militarised the state or favoured his hometown, Ede, for development projects. Labelling himself a “bulldozer” unbothered by federal opposition, Adeleke touted his record of constructing 350 km of roads, rehabilitating 200 primary healthcare centres, acquiring 31 tractors, and recruiting 1,500 Amotekun security personnel. He urged citizens to protect their votes peacefully at collation centres.
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In response, APC candidate Oyebamiji challenged Adeleke to account for approximately ₦650 billion in federal allocations received during his tenure, alongside ₦15 billion allegedly left behind by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Oyebamiji denied claims that the Federal Government planned to deploy “federal might” to manipulate the election, pledging instead to prioritise agriculture, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation across all 30 local government areas.
Adding to the debate, Najeem Salaam, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), promised to eliminate political thuggery using his legislative and academic background. Meanwhile, Olajide Esan of the African Action Congress (AAC) proposed an Osun Residents Database and a public financial dashboard to enforce transparency and return governance to the people.
Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.
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