By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has responded to critics of his administration, urging them to assess his leadership based on performance and tangible outcomes, rather than style, insisting that his government has delivered good governance across all sectors of Osun State.
He made this assertion on Sunday while addressing the Iwude Ijesha Carnival in Ilesa, where he dismissed claims questioning his style of governance, stressing that leadership is not about rigid posturing or a master–servant relationship.
Adeleke said, “Governance is about making a direct and positive impact on the lives of the people. Your delivery as a governor is the best judge of your performance and capacity to lead.
“Judge me by my records, outputs and agenda. That is the globally accepted parameter for measuring leadership.”
Amid applause, the governor declared that his administration has positively impacted all sectors and federal constituencies of the state over the last three years.
“My people, I have delivered across sectors in the last three years. I have positively touched all sectors and constituencies. My records affirm and validate my capacity and competence to continue to lead our dear state,” he stated.
He congratulated the Ijesa people on the celebration of Iwude Day and recalled that upon assuming office in late 2022, his administration conducted extensive due diligence on the developmental challenges confronting Ijesaland, drawing from submissions by the late Owa Obokun and other prominent Ijesa elites and intellectuals.
According to him, Ijesaland had suffered severe environmental and economic damage prior to his administration due to unchecked illegal mining and mismanagement.
“When we came on board in late 2022, Ijesaland was being plundered without accountability. Environmental degradation caused by illegal mining was pervasive, with underground water declared polluted. Revenue from mining went into private pockets instead of the state treasury,” he said.
The governor disclosed that his administration initiated comprehensive reforms in the mining sector, securing Osun State’s shareholding in the Segilola Gold Project, intensifying the fight against illegal mining, and embarking on continuous environmental cleanup, including a professionally managed river cleanup project.
He disclosed that the controversial Ilesa Water Project, which he described as a conduit for corruption under the previous administration, has been reviewed and sanitized, with the project now set to continue after processing by the Islamic Development Bank.
Beyond infrastructure already executed in Ijesaland, Governor Adeleke said his administration fulfilled and exceeded two major requests made by the late Owa Obokun during his governorship campaign.
“The dualisation of Ereja Palace Junction to Brewery Junction has been completed, with solar street lights installed. The second request was the establishment of the University of Ilesa, which is now a reality,” he announced.
He noted that the university has nearly 100 accredited courses and that the government ensured local content by appointing qualified Ijesa sons as Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, while also upgrading infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment.
Adeleke also emphasized the inclusion of Ijesa indigenes in his administration, listing key commissioners and senior appointees from Ijesaland, whom he described as committed change agents.
Highlighting Ilesa’s entrepreneurial heritage, the governor said his administration is partnering with the Owa Obokun’s Palace on a holistic industrialisation agenda through a renewed public-private partnership aimed at accelerating economic growth.
He said that Osun’s proposed airport will has a component located within Ijesaland, adding that plans are underway to explore linking Ilesa and Ile-Ife to the national railway network, a move he said would enhance freight haulage, trade, and industrial development across Osun East Senatorial District.
“I have a clear blueprint to take Ijesaland and her people to new heights. With improved transport connectivity, industrial growth will thrive,” the governor said.
He concluded by calling on traditional rulers, chiefs, and elites to remain committed to the collective mission of advancing Osun State.
“We must not allow political and developmental setbacks to afflict us again,” Governor Adeleke charged.
