Osun Election: APC Underestimated Me — Adeleke

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has attributed his victory in the August 15 governorship election to his administration’s performance, strong grassroots support and his close relationship with residents.

Adeleke, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) underestimated his political strength because of his public image and his well-known dancing skills.

The governor said some of his opponents initially viewed him as unserious and doubted his ability to govern effectively. According to him, the perception worked to his advantage because he prefers to be underestimated before proving his critics wrong.

Adeleke said his administration’s record in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, workers’ welfare and road construction helped change public opinion and contributed to his re-election.

He said his government entered office with a clear development plan and a capable team that quickly began implementing projects across the state.

The governor also credited his administration’s relationship with organised labour for helping to win the support of workers. He said Osun had not recorded a strike under his leadership and that his government allowed labour representatives to negotiate directly on issues affecting workers.

Adeleke said the government also reached an agreement on the minimum wage after allowing labour leaders to negotiate the matter before presenting the outcome to him for approval.

Beyond government projects, the governor said his accessibility and connection with people at the grassroots contributed greatly to his electoral success. He described his relationship with residents as one built on mutual affection and said the level of support he received during the election had left him emotional.

He said the renewed mandate had placed a greater responsibility on him to deliver on his promises and avoid disappointing the people who voted for him.

Adeleke also spoke about his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, describing the President as a father figure. He disclosed that Tinubu called him after the election to congratulate him on his victory.

The governor said he would continue to support the President while also using their relationship to raise issues affecting Osun State.

One of the issues he plans to discuss with Tinubu is the funding of local governments in the state. Adeleke claimed that funds meant for the councils had been withheld for nearly two years, which he said had affected the government’s ability to complete some projects.

He said the state’s internally generated revenue had improved considerably but was largely being used to pay salaries and meet other government obligations.

The governor said additional funding was needed to complete projects that were already at advanced stages of construction.

Adeleke also rejected claims that his administration had concentrated development projects in Ede, his hometown. He described the allegation as political propaganda and said his government had executed projects across different parts of Osun.

He pointed to road projects, flyovers and other infrastructure in Osogbo, Ile-Ife and other areas as evidence that development was not restricted to his home community.

According to him, Ede was also entitled to government projects because it is part of Osun State, but every local government had benefited from his administration in one way or another.

The governor said some roads that had remained abandoned for decades were revived under his administration. He added that he personally inspected some of the projects and directed the relevant officials to ensure that they were completed.

Adeleke also dismissed claims that poor-quality contractors were responsible for problems with roads built by his administration. He maintained that his government would not deliberately award contracts to incompetent firms.

With his second term secured, Adeleke said his administration would now concentrate on consolidating its achievements, completing projects affected by funding challenges and continuing its programmes in workers’ welfare, infrastructure, healthcare and other areas of development.