Dare Babalola
Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed confidence in his bid for re-election in Osun 2026, vowing to defeat his opponent, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while promising to continue his “people’s government” agenda focused on good governance.
In response to statements made by former governor Gboyega Oyetola at the APC gubernatorial primary on Saturday, Governor Adeleke dismissed the minister’s optimism as “wishful thinking, illusory grandstanding, and a refusal to acknowledge APC’s drowning unpopularity among Osun residents.”
Governor Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, condemned the previous administration of Gboyega Oyetola as an “anti-people era” in Osun’s history, recalling the state’s dire state upon his takeover in 2022.
He described Oyetola’s tenure as “a dark page in Osun socio-political history, a period neither labour nor any segment of our population want re-enacted”
The governor who boasted of a mass movement behind his re- election bid mocked the minister and the APC for embarking on anti-democratic activities instead of marketing themselves to the people and potential voters.
“If you are sure you have the votes of the people, why are you deploying anti-democratic means to stop the unstoppable will of our people? It is shameful and reprehensible that those who claim to be popular are dead scared to face the people in a free and fair election,” he said.
In addition, he stated that the people of the state are fully satisfied with the people-oriented and responsive governance being delivered by the present administration.
“Osun citizens are enjoying a government that prioritises workers’ welfare, infrastructural renewal, healthcare delivery, education, and inclusive development, and therefore have no desire to return to the era of hardship, neglect, and anti-people policies associated with the APC’s 12-year rule in the State.
“You and your proxy, now the APC’s governorship candidate, were central figures in the mismanagement that plunged Osun State into economic distress, characterised by half salaries, mounting debts, and poor service delivery to the people. Osun will not go back to the dark days”, the governor was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke emphasised that his administration is currently reversing those damages and restoring dignity to governance in the State as attested to by several awards and recognition including the newest one, the winner of Primary health care leadership challenge for South West.
He further asserted that the impressive performance of his administration across all critical sectors has earned the trust and confidence of the people, who are determined to defend the gains of good governance at the polls.
“As the August 8, 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, Osun people are fully aware that a vote for the APC and its candidate is a vote for a return to the failures of the past. Such a regression is one the people of Osun are not prepared to entertain,” the Governor stated.
Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to sustained delivery of democratic dividends and urged Osun citizens to disregard political propaganda, assuring them of continued focus on people-centred development.
