The political temperature in Osun State has heated up once again as the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched a scathing critique of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, accusing it of poor governance and lack of direction across key sectors.
Speaking in an interview with "Sunday PUNCH", the National Secretary of the APC and former senator, Ajibola Basiru, didn’t mince words, asserting that the Adeleke-led government has failed to deliver on its promises. “It has been failure on all fronts. The administration is devoid of strategic focus, and the leadership framework remains murky and uninspiring,” Basiru declared.
According to the APC chieftain, the alleged shortcomings in Adeleke’s governance are evident in the critical sectors of education, healthcare, and security. He cited the mass dismissal of teachers without adequate replacements, a move he claims has plunged the state’s public school system into chaos. Similarly, he accused the administration of decimating the health sector, with layoffs of key personnel and a collapsed health insurance scheme now leaving residents vulnerable.
“The health and education sectors are on life support,” Basiru stated. “The government sacked thousands of workers but made no plans for replacements. The Osun Health Insurance Scheme has practically collapsed, and the public is suffering as a result. Security-wise, we’re seeing a rise in communal clashes and poorly executed infrastructure projects that have disrupted local commerce. People are disillusioned. They’re tired of this misgovernance.”
Basiru, a frontline aspirant for the APC gubernatorial ticket in the 2026 elections, made it clear that his party intends to reclaim the governorship and rescue the state from what he described as “a rudderless regime.”
In response to Basiru’s remarks, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a member of the party’s National Executive Committee, Diran Odeyemi, dismissed the criticism as political grandstanding. He described Adeleke’s performance as visible and impactful, asserting that “even the blind can see” the governor’s achievements since taking office.
“Adeleke is focused on development and has made strides in infrastructure, workers’ welfare, and grassroots empowerment,” Odeyemi said. “Basiru is still struggling to recover from the defeat of 2018, and now, with 2026 on the horizon, he's trying to remain relevant by throwing baseless accusations.”
Odeyemi also rubbished speculation that Governor Adeleke might defect to the APC ahead of the next election cycle, calling such rumors unfounded and illogical. “Let’s be clear: Governor Adeleke is not contemplating joining the APC. He has no business with them, and no interest whatsoever. The people of Osun chose him through the ballot box, and he’s committed to serving them under the PDP.”
When asked about the possibility of Adeleke defecting, Basiru responded tersely, stating, “I don’t know where those rumors are coming from. Certainly not from me. As far as I’m concerned, there’s been no formal approach by Governor Adeleke to join the APC. If that ever changes, we will deal with it accordingly.”
As the countdown to the 2026 governorship election begins, political discourse in Osun is intensifying. With both parties sharpening their rhetoric, the stage is set for what promises to be another high-stakes political showdown in the state.
