By John Dike, Osogbo
The Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), Senator Akogun Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi, has declared that the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke would focus on governance, performance and consolidation of achievements rather than political distractions.
Oyewumi stated this on Sunday during the maiden press conference of the Imole Campaign Council held at the formal opening of the Imole Media Centre in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He said the newly inaugurated media centre would serve as the communication hub for the dissemination of activities and programmes of the campaign council.
The senator, however, began the briefing with a minute silence in honour of Kolade Eluyera, who he alleged was killed in Ikire by thugs linked to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyewumi commended residents of Osun State for their support for Governor Adeleke since the administration assumed office in November 2022, while also appreciating members of the media for their cooperation with the government.
According to him, the media remains critical to sustaining democracy and promoting constructive engagement between government and citizens.
Speaking on the administration’s performance, Oyewumi said the Adeleke government had significantly improved the financial health of the state through debt reduction, improved internally generated revenue and reforms in revenue collection.
He disclosed that the administration reduced the state’s domestic debt profile from N148 billion in 2022 to N83.32 billion in the first quarter of 2025, while external debt dropped from 91.78 million dollars to 75.14 million dollars within the same period.
He further stated that the state’s internally generated revenue rose from N24.47 billion in 2022 to N58.7 billion in 2025 through harmonisation and digitalisation of revenue collection processes.
The campaign council boss also noted that the administration had cleared 18 months out of the inherited half-salary arrears owed workers and fully paid the 28-month contributory pension arrears owed retirees by previous administrations.
Oyewumi highlighted several infrastructure projects executed under the Adeleke administration, including flyovers in Osogbo and Ile-Ife, dual carriageways in major towns and over 300 kilometres of urban and rural roads across the state.
He described the projects as evidence of purposeful leadership and commitment to modernising the state’s infrastructure.
In the education sector, Oyewumi said the government prioritised teachers’ welfare and improved learning conditions, resulting in Osun State moving from the 33rd position in NECO rankings in 2022 to seventh position in both 2024 and 2025.
He added that the administration had also invested heavily in agriculture through tractorisation and distribution of cocoa, oil palm and cashew seedlings to farmers across the state.
The DG further stated that the government had created employment opportunities for youths through recruitment into the teaching service, Imole Youth Corps, Osun Amotekun Corps and other public service sectors.
According to him, the administration had also strengthened the digital economy by introducing Osun’s first ICT Policy and Tech Innovation Policy as well as domesticating the Nigerian Startup Act.
He said the government’s efforts in sports development, healthcare delivery, pensioners’ welfare and revitalisation of tertiary institutions reflected its commitment to people-centred governance.
Oyewumi disclosed that the campaign for Governor Adeleke’s re-election would be driven by the “Imole 2.0 Five-Point Agenda,” focusing on youth and women empowerment, infrastructure consolidation, agro-industrial expansion, affordable healthcare and education, as well as improved business environment for job creation.
The campaign council director-general also urged security agencies to remain neutral and professional during the electioneering period, warning against selective enforcement of the law.
He specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that perpetrators of political violence were arrested and prosecuted, expressing concern over the killing of Kolade Eluyera.
According to him, failure to act decisively against criminal elements could threaten the peace currently enjoyed in the state.
Oyewumi also appealed to journalists to uphold fairness, objectivity and professionalism in their reportage throughout the election period.
He expressed confidence that the Adeleke administration would continue to enjoy the support of the people based on what he described as visible achievements recorded across various sectors in the last three and a half years.
