Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has revealed that his administration has blocked political godfathers from siphoning state funds, allowing for significant infrastructural development and financial stability.
Speaking in an interview to mark his two years in office, Adeleke reflected on the challenges he faced, his governance style, and key achievements.
“I Was Written Off, But I Proved Them Wrong”
Adeleke acknowledged that many doubted his leadership capabilities before he took office, dismissing him as the “dancing senator” who would spend his tenure partying.
“A lot of people did not give me a chance. They thought I would just be in the Government House dancing every day,” he said.
However, he stated that he had a clear blueprint and began executing his plans immediately after assuming office.
“I didn’t listen to them because I knew what I was going to do. I laid out my plans silently, and the moment I was sworn in, I moved into action,” he added.
Looted Government House and N60 Billion Debt
Adeleke lamented the state of the Government House when he took office, alleging that it had been looted by the previous administration.
“They were so upset that I defeated them, so they looted the Government House. When we came in, we recorded a video and showed the whole world,” he said.
Despite inheriting a staggering N60 billion debt, Adeleke said he chose to focus on governance rather than probing past administrations.
“I showed everyone, even the obas (kings), the debt situation. But why waste time on probes? I went straight to work,” he stated.
Infrastructure and Economic Reforms
Adeleke highlighted infrastructure development as one of his key priorities, particularly in rural areas where farming communities rely on good roads.
“I am not just focusing on urban areas. I go into villages because our people are farmers. If they don’t have good roads, how will they bring their goods to town?” he asked.
He revealed that his administration had successfully implemented a N100 billion infrastructure plan, surpassing expectations.
“In two years, I met my target. I’ve completed about 150 kilometers of roads across Osogbo and other cities. Every little town has at least 1.5 kilometers of new roads,” he said.
In addition to roads, his government has also built bridges and installed streetlights, transforming the state’s landscape.
Blocking Leakages and Boosting Revenue
Adeleke credited his administration’s fiscal discipline for Osun’s financial turnaround, stating that he had sealed revenue leakages and stopped political godfathers from exploiting the system.
“I blocked all the leakages. No godfather can take advantage of the system anymore,” he asserted.
He also revealed that his administration had boosted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), enabling the government to service debts while funding key projects.
Reviving Mining for Revenue Growth
The governor disclosed that his government had revived the mining sector, which had previously been neglected.
“They abandoned mining before now, but I have restarted it. We now have a shareholder license, something that has never happened before,” he said.
He added that he planned to meet with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to formalize Osun’s stake in the sector.
Security Votes: “I Don’t Touch It”
Adeleke also made a striking revelation about security votes, a discretionary fund often used by governors.
“For security votes, I don’t touch it. It’s there, and I use it only for security challenges when necessary,” he stated.
As he enters the second half of his tenure, Adeleke emphasized that his commitment remains to infrastructure, economic development, and fiscal prudence, ensuring that Osun State continues on a path of progress.
