Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Osun state, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has called out Governor Ademola Adeleke over alleged award of the N99.5 billion Ede airport project by the state government to what he described as a firm of interior decorators with no known record in civil engineering.
Oyebamiji in a statement issued on Friday by Oluremi Omowaiye, head of the media and publicity committee for the Osun APC governorship campaign council, to mark Democracy Day, said major infrastructure projects in the state should be handled by firms with proven technical competence and experience.
Oyebamiji said that a government which is committed to providing durable and transformative infrastructure would prioritise competence, technical capacity, and value for money in the award of public contracts.
“A government with a vision of delivering durable and transformative infrastructure will not entrust multi-billion-naira road projects to fertiliser distribution suppliers, cybercafé operators, and other unqualified cronies the way the current government in Osun has done. The people of Osun deserve quality infrastructure built by competent hands,” Oyebamiji said.
“As a state, we must insist on quality, professionalism, and accountability. Osun deserves infrastructure that can stand the test of time and stimulate economic growth for generations.”
Oyebamiji alleged that the administration of Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, despite improved federal allocations and revenues accruing to the state, failed to prioritise the welfare of residents.
He said the state government had received close to N1 trillion in revenue since assuming office but had not fulfilled several of its campaign promises.
The APC governorship candidate alleged that the state had yet to replace over 1,500 teachers and more than 500 health workers disengaged by the current administration.
“It is saddening that after sacking 1500 teachers and over 500 health workers employed by the last APC government, the current government has not deemed it fit to recruit for their replacement in over 40 months,” Oyebamiji said.
Osun now has a record of the state with the lowest number of teachers in the Southwest region, just as the state has been rated as the 2nd worst state for the number of abandoned health centres in the country. These ratings are unacceptable. We must stem the tide before it is too late.”
He also criticised the state government over an alleged payroll fraud uncovered by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, claiming that N13.7 billion is paid annually to ghost workers.
He described the allegation as “a big embarrassment” to the state and called for greater transparency and accountability in governance.
The APC governorship candidate, however, celebrated the heroes of the June 12 struggle, saluting President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of Democracy Day for his role in the fight against military rule and commitment to democratic governance.
Oyebamiji pledged that if elected governor, his administration would prioritise quality education, infrastructure renewal, job creation, and technology-driven security.
He also promised to reactivate the Aviation City project in Ido-Osun, saying the initiative would attract investment, create jobs, and boost tourism in the state.
Advertisement