Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has defended the performance of his administration, citing road construction, healthcare, agriculture, education and security interventions, while accusing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of intimidation and political violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Adeleke spoke on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise TV’s Town Hall Meeting, ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The governor, who is seeking re-election, said the achievements of his administration across various sectors should be enough for voters to assess his performance and decide whether he deserves another term.
He recalled his 2018 governorship bid, which he said he lost despite being the actual winner, before returning to Osun in 2022 and defeating the incumbent administration.
Adeleke said he subsequently promised to govern with the fear of God and deliver what he described as the dividends of democracy.
“Our administration, our work speaks for itself,” he said.
Adeleke Highlights Infrastructure Projects
The governor listed infrastructure development among the major achievements of his administration, pointing to road construction, road dualisation, bridges and lighting projects across the state.
He specifically mentioned the dualised road leading to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, which he said was commissioned on Monday.
Adeleke also said his administration had undertaken road projects in several major cities across Osun State, describing some of the projects as unprecedented.
According to him, some roads he encountered after assuming office had been abandoned for between 35 and 45 years.
He said his administration decided to revive such projects rather than allow them to remain abandoned.
The governor also highlighted the installation of solar and street lights across the state, saying the projects had improved the appearance of communities and allowed businesses to operate for longer hours.
Adeleke argued that government spending on infrastructure was also contributing to economic activity because people within Osun State were being engaged to execute the projects.
Governor Says 200 Health Centres Have Been Renovated
Adeleke also highlighted his administration’s interventions in the healthcare sector.
He said he personally visited health centres across the state after assuming office and was dissatisfied with their condition.
The governor alleged that the previous administration had secured a $20 million grant to rehabilitate health centres and questioned what had been done with the funds before his administration took over.
According to Adeleke, his administration has since renovated about 200 healthcare centres.
He said the facilities had received improvements including boreholes, solar lighting and beds.
Adeleke said the renovated facilities were now providing a more conducive environment for healthcare delivery across the state.
Adeleke Highlights Agricultural Intervention
The governor also said his administration had intervened in the agricultural sector through the provision of tractors and other inputs.
He said the government had purchased about 31 tractors for farmers across the state, alongside seedlings and other materials needed for agricultural production.
Adeleke said the interventions were aimed at supporting farmers and improving agricultural productivity.
‘When Light Comes, Darkness Vanishes’
Defending his administration’s overall performance, Adeleke described himself as “the light” brought to Osun State.
He argued that his administration had brought visible changes to the state through infrastructure, lighting and other development projects.
“When light comes, darkness vanishes,” Adeleke said.
He also expressed confidence that residents were already feeling the economic impact of his administration’s projects.
The governor thanked Osun residents, workers and the media for their support, while promising that more projects and interventions were still to come.
Adeleke Dismisses ‘Music and Dance’ Criticism
Responding to criticism from the APC that his administration had been characterised by “music and dance,” Adeleke dismissed the description, saying his love for dancing had not affected his ability to govern.
The governor joked that his critics were jealous because they could not dance.
He said dancing was part of his personality and family background but stressed that he was also a serious and prudent governor.
According to Adeleke, there was a time for dancing and a time for work, insisting that his public performances should not be used to judge his administration.
He challenged his critics to assess the projects executed by his government instead.
Adeleke Accuses Opposition of Intimidation
The governor also accused his political opponents of using intimidation, arrests and what he described as federal might against members of his political camp.
Adeleke alleged that several of his associates and political supporters had been arrested, questioning why such measures would be necessary if the opposition was confident of winning the election.
He also accused his opponents of being responsible for political violence and the destruction of campaign billboards.
The governor said he had instructed his supporters not to retaliate against opposition campaign materials.
“Let the whole world see what they are doing,” Adeleke said.
He maintained that the alleged intimidation would not stop his campaign and expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious on Saturday.
Governor Denies Militarising Osun
Adeleke also rejected claims that his administration was responsible for the heavy presence of security personnel across Osun State ahead of the election.
The question followed observations by the presenters that several campaign billboards had been destroyed and that there was a significant presence of military and police personnel across the state.
Adeleke said he did not have the authority to deploy the military, noting that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He suggested that the security presence could have been prompted by concerns over violence and insecurity ahead of the election.
The governor said his administration had consistently advocated a free and fair election and urged security agencies to protect lives and property.
Adeleke Appeals for Peaceful Election
Adeleke promised that the August 15 election would be free and fair, while urging his supporters to avoid violence.
He appealed to voters not to retaliate if provoked at polling units, stressing that their primary objective should be to cast their votes peacefully.
The governor said the people should be allowed to determine who governs Osun State.
“I am always preaching for free and fair election because I know what is called democracy. It is the people,” he said.
Adeleke Defends Defection From PDP to Accord Party
The governor was also questioned about his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and contest the election under the Accord Party.
His critics, according to the presenters, had described the move as political opportunism and questioned his commitment to political principles.
Adeleke rejected the criticism, insisting that his family was known for integrity and principles.
He said he had initially made efforts to keep the PDP united but eventually decided to move to another platform following developments within the party.
The governor also referenced his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and an alleged intervention by the President concerning issues involving Osun State and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeleke maintained that his decision to contest under the Accord Party was not motivated by opportunism but by his determination to continue his political journey and seek another term in office.
Adeleke Confident of Victory
As the August 15 election approaches, Adeleke said he remained confident of securing another term as governor.
He urged Osun voters to assess his administration based on its record in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and security.
He also called on his supporters to remain peaceful and allow voters to exercise their franchise without intimidation or violence.
The governor’s appearance on Arise TV came amid heightened political activity in Osun State, with the leading parties intensifying their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s poll.
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