By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has celebrated the outcome of last Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, in which the party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, emerged victorious.
The party claimed that the result of the election has sent shockwaves through the Osun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC stated that Governor Ademola Adeleke has become restless, sleepless, and uncomfortable, as there is no political misconduct committed by the outgoing Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, that his counterpart in Osun is not guilty of.
In a statement by Chief Kola Olabisi, the APC Director of Media and Publicity, the party noted that, since the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Governor Adeleke, confirming him as the substantive governor, he has exhibited authoritarian tendencies.
“It is still fresh in the memory of discerning members of society how, even as governor-elect, Adeleke turned himself into a democratic dictator, issuing oppressive and repressive orders to target his real and perceived political opponents within his party and the leading opposition APC in the state.
“As governor-elect, Adeleke was even making illegal policy statements, forgetting that his predecessor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was constitutionally guaranteed a full four-year tenure.”
One of the controversial executive orders issued by Adeleke, according to the statement, was the dismissal of thousands of teachers, OYES cadets, and healthcare workers employed by his predecessor, which led to a significant manpower shortage in key sectors.
“Adeleke’s executive order that most damaged his popularity was his unjustified dismissal of three traditional rulers—Oba Gboyega Famodun III, the Owa of Igbajoland; the Aree of Iree; and the Akinrun of Ikirun—who were duly appointed and loved by their subjects.
“The traditional rulers, who are constitutionally under the governor’s supervision, viewed this action as a grave injustice.”
The APC questioned Adeleke’s involvement in matters concerning traditional rulers, noting that previous governors, including his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rauf Aregbesola, and Gboyega Oyetola, had not interfered in such matters.
The party also argued that the damage Governor Adeleke has inflicted on Osun’s traditional institution is irreparable and that any attempt at restitution would be too late to restore trust.
The statement further accused Adeleke of lacking transparency, probity, and accountability in government, leading to the misuse of public funds. It criticised his decision to construct five flyovers in the state when many residents struggle to meet their basic needs.
These, the APC said, are among the many missteps that will make it difficult for Governor Adeleke to win re-election in 2026.
The party accused Adeleke of deceiving the public by claiming not to collect security votes, while a fact-check revealed that between January and June 2024, he had withdrawn ₦684 million for security purposes. Additionally, the issue of the 114 tractors Adeleke claimed to have purchased has remained unresolved, with only 31 tractors spotted during a roadshow in Osogbo.
The APC also alleged that Adeleke has failed to account for 55 primary healthcare centres, borehole projects, and federal government palliatives intended for the state, as well as funds meant for buses.
Governor Adeleke, according to the APC, has alienated those who helped him secure victory in the 2022 elections and has been accused of nepotism by appointing family members to sensitive government positions.
The party concluded that Adeleke’s discomfort following the APC’s governorship victory in Edo State, where the APC polled 291,664 votes, Labour Party 22,763 votes, and PDP 247,274 votes, signals a difficult path ahead for him in 2026.