The Osun State Government has rejected 14 allegations being circulated by opposition elements ahead of the governorship election, describing them as “misleading and politically motivated.”
In a 14-point fact-check document released on Thursday in Osogbo, the government said the claims were designed to discredit the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“These allegations are not based on facts but are deliberate attempts to mislead the public and score cheap political points ahead of the election,” the government stated in the document.
The government defended the quality of its infrastructure projects, insisting that “the works are being handled by experienced and COREN-certified engineers and subjected to technical validation.”
It also rejected claims that major construction projects were awarded to companies without the requisite expertise.
“All contractors engaged passed due-diligence, due-process and procurement requirements and have qualified professionals within their ranks,” the statement stated
On criticism over the use of local contractors, the government said: “Our local-content policy was designed to build the capacity of indigenous companies, retain public funds within the state and strengthen local construction skills and economies.”
The administration further denied that newly constructed bridges had collapsed due to poor workmanship, describing the reports as “opposition propaganda and sabotage.”
It added that “one of the roads cited by the opposition was actually constructed under the previous Oyetola administration and was located in Ile-Ife rather than Modakeke.”
On insecurity, the government rejected allegations that Governor Adeleke sponsors violence.
“The governor is a leader who has instructed his supporters not to retaliate against attacks,” the document stated.
The administration also dismissed as false the allegation that ₦92 billion was spent on entertainment in the Governor’s Office over three years.
“According to our records, the Governor’s Office contains eight agencies with separate budgetary sub-headings and expenditure responsibilities. The entire allocation cannot be attributed personally to the governor or to entertainment,” the government said.
On the Ido-Osun Airport controversy, the government said: “The facility was handed over to the Nigerian Air Force by the former Oyetola administration for an aviation city and training centre arrangement. The airport remains at Odo-Osun.”
The government also rejected allegations of an “Edenisation agenda,” saying “our infrastructure programme was designed to cover local governments across the state.” It listed projects in Ila-Orangun, Iwo, Ilesa, Ede and Ile-Ife as part of phase two.
Defending its financial record, the administration said: “Comparing present-day government revenue and expenditure with the pre-2022 period without accounting for inflation and exchange-rate pressures would be misleading.”
It claimed to have delivered “350 kilometres of roads, three flyovers, six dualised roads, 150 renovated schools and more than 200 renovated health centres.”
On claims that the governor is not in control, the government said: “Governor Adeleke remains constitutionally responsible for executive decisions. Neither his brother nor sister is a member of the state cabinet.”
On tractor procurement, the government explained: “Our plan was to acquire more than 100 tractors in three batches. The first batch of 31 has been purchased and deployed, while subsequent procurement was put on hold because of financial constraints.”
It also defended its decision on workers employed by the previous administration, saying “the appointments were made after the 2022 election and had not been concluded before the former government left office.”
On tuition at the University of Ilesa, the government said “the relatively higher fees for medical and law students reflected the specialised facilities and standards required for those programmes,” but added that “the institution remains comparatively affordable.”
Responding to criticism of the governor’s public dancing, the government said: “The governor considers the act an expression of gratitude to God and it has no bearing on his commitment to governance.”
The government said the response was necessary as political activities intensify ahead of the election, with the administration seeking to counter opposition narratives over its record.