Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken a swipe at the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, describing him as an “abysmal failure in governance” and unqualified to criticise his administration’s performance in Osun State.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has delivered across critical sectors and continues to earn commendations from independent assessments and the people of Osun State. The attempt by Mr. Oyebamiji to discredit these achievements is both misleading and politically motivated,” said the Governor’s Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The governor, according to a statement issued on Friday, questioned Oyebamiji’s objections to his administration’s record, asking what exactly the APC candidate was dissatisfied with, given Osun’s reported improvements in education, healthcarer infrastructure, water supply, and fiscal transparency.

Adeleke maintained that his government had received commendations across sectors, insisting that Osogbo, the state capital, had witnessed significant infrastructural transformation, which, according to him, has earned widespread public approval ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He further claimed that Osun schools and health institutions had undergone major rehabilitation, alongside improved welfare packages for teachers and health workers, adding that the state had moved from 33rd position to 7th in NECO performance rankings in 2024 and 2025.

The governor also asserted that Osun ranked first in primary healthcare delivery in the South-West for two consecutive years and currently sits among the top five states in healthcare efficiency nationwide.

On local content policy, Adeleke faulted Oyebamiji’s alleged opposition, accusing him of preferring capital flight over empowering indigenous contractors and businesses.

He defended the quality of ongoing projects across the state, including infrastructure in Okefia, Lameco, Osogbo, Ila, Ilesa, Iwo, and Ile-Ife, stating that contractors were duly vetted and certified by relevant professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Responding to allegations of procurement breaches and mismanagement of a $20 million health grant, the governor insisted that all contracts under his administration followed due process and extant procurement laws.

He also dismissed the proposed Ido-Osun aviation city project initiated under the previous administration as “poorly conceived,” alleging that his government inherited a flawed arrangement and is working to resolve its complications.

Adeleke added that Oyebamiji’s record in previous public offices was “poor,” alleging administrative failures during his tenure at Osun-Osun Investment Company Limited, the Ministry of Finance, and a water resources agency.

“My record as governor is widely acknowledged, even by political opponents. Osun is witnessing democratic dividends despite coordinated opposition attacks,” the governor was quoted as saying.