Osun APC, Govt in war of words over infrastructure development

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has engaged the Osun State Government in a heated exchange over the state’s infrastructure development.

The APC accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of attempting to deceive the state with its new N159 billion infrastructure plan, given its failure to deliver on the previous N100 billion plan.

In a statement issued by the APC’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, the party criticized the governor’s track record, stating, “In October 2023, Governor Adeleke announced plans to build infrastructure worth N100 billion without borrowing, boasting of completing five flyovers by the end of 2024. However, the flyovers in Okefia, Lameco, and Ile-Ife are facing significant delays, missing completion deadlines, and are now at risk of abandonment. Additionally, no work has been done at the Ikirun and Owode sites of the proposed projects.”

The APC further argued that rather than making new promises, the government should focus on completing the projects already promised. “Osun State deserves better. It’s time for the government to prioritize education, healthcare, agricultural development, and rural road infrastructure,” the statement continued.

The opposition also questioned why Governor Adeleke had not replaced the 1,500 teachers recruited by his predecessor, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola (now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy), who were sacked at the beginning of Adeleke’s tenure. The APC further criticized the governor for also dismissing 20,000 OYES corps members and thousands of health workers.

In a swift response, the Osun State government dismissed the APC’s criticism, suggesting that the opposition’s attack revealed their shame over their failure to address the state’s infrastructure deficit while they were in power.

Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, countered the allegations, stating that the first phase of the infrastructure plan was 70 to 80 percent complete across various sectors. He also assured that the second phase, worth N159 billion, was achievable, reflecting the aspirations of the communities involved in the projects.

Rasheed said, “Governor Adeleke has remained faithful to all his pledges, as widely acknowledged by local and national observers. While the APC failed to achieve in four years, Governor Adeleke has delivered in two years. Experts have noted that Governor Adeleke has reduced the state’s infrastructure deficit by more than 45 percent from about 90 percent inherited from the previous administration in 2022. The APC administration left behind significant infrastructure challenges when it was voted out of office.”