Adeleke Under Fire: Osun Politicians Reject Tinubu/Oyetola Blame Tactics
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke faces intense scrutiny from a faction of his own Accord Party and the opposition APC, who accuse him of blaming external forces for his administration's alleged poor performance ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Critics dismiss Adeleke's claims of political victimisation and predict his defeat due to perceived governance failures and a focus on political theatrics over tangible development.
The political landscape in Osun State is intensely charged as the August 15 governorship election draws near, with Governor Ademola Adeleke facing significant criticism from both a factional wing of his own Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Both entities accuse the governor of deflecting blame for his administration's shortcomings onto external forces, particularly President Bola Tinubu and Minister Gboyega Oyetola, instead of addressing what they describe as self-inflicted challenges and poor governance.
Professor Chris Imumolen, the factional National Chairman of the Accord Party, has publicly urged Governor Adeleke to accept responsibility for his administration’s failures, despite the substantial monthly allocations received by Osun State. Imumolen asserts that widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration exists across the state, claiming that the people are prepared to vote Adeleke out due to his poor performance. He described Adeleke’s woes as "self-inflicted," emphasizing that the governor has consistently failed to heed warnings to take governance and performance seriously. Furthermore, Imumolen dismissed Adeleke’s recent concerns about potential electoral malpractice as a "pre-emptive defense" to explain an anticipated defeat, stating that no one is planning to rig the election, but rather, voters are ready to hold him accountable for his "woeful performance." According to Imumolen, internal and independent data indicate a significant deterioration in Adeleke’s political standing, suggesting an uphill battle for re-election.
Adding to the pressure, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, has also called on Governor Adeleke to cease blaming President Tinubu and Gboyega Oyetola for his political difficulties. The APC highlighted that Adeleke's earlier endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election should not serve as an excuse for inadequate preparation for his re-election campaign. Olabisi vehemently dismissed Adeleke’s allegations of political victimisation, arrests, and attacks involving Accord Party members as a "blame game" designed to elicit public sympathy. The APC spokesman accused Governor Adeleke of engaging in "frivolous" and "misplaced" accusations, urging him to focus on resolving self-created challenges rather than shifting responsibility to the federal government. Olabisi further alleged that the governor has transformed the state Government House into a refuge for "political hoodlums" and has been empowering "dangerous political thugs" with significant appointments. Critically, the APC also claimed that Governor Adeleke has been unduly focused on "foreign engagements," allegedly "wining and dining and frolicking with women of easy virtues across the globe" under the guise of seeking "illusive foreign investors" for nearly four years, neglecting substantive governance.
As the August 15 governorship election looms, the political tension in Osun State continues to escalate, marked by sharp accusations and counter-accusations between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government and the APC, centered on issues of governance, security, and electoral conduct. The electorate, described as politically sophisticated, is expected to prioritize accountability and tangible performance at the polls.