The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has fired back at the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) over its allegedly economically unsound, ignorant, and mischievous criticism of the state’s Value Added Tax (VAT).
It described as laughable that party’s recent statement criticizing the state’s VAT generation figures for the first quarter of 2025.
PDP, in a statement r by Mr. Hezekiah Oladele Bamij, the state Director of Media and Publicity, the party dismissed the APM’s remarks as “low-level commentary” from a “mushroom party” with no political presence or credibility.
It said that while such comments would typically be ignored, it is important to set the record straight for the benefit of the public.
Bamiji said, “VAT generation is not a magic tap that a government can turn on overnight.
“It is the cumulative result of years of structural economic planning, industrial development, market size expansion, corporate presence, and consumer power.”
He criticized APM for attempting to compare Osun to states like Lagos and Ogun, which have long benefited from massive industrial bases, ports, and multinational corporations. “It is laughable to compare Osun, historically a public service-driven economy, to Lagos—a former capital city with a GDP that rivals many African countries.”
The PDP further asserted that the economic challenges Governor Ademola Adeleke inherited in 2022—such as massive debt, unpaid entitlements, abandoned infrastructure, and a demoralized local economy—are issues APM conveniently ignores.
“Despite these hurdles,” the statement continued, “Governor Adeleke’s administration has made significant strides in revitalizing the state economy. By focusing on SMEs, empowering artisans and farmers, promoting digital entrepreneurship, and investing in agriculture, the administration is steadily rebuilding Osun’s economic foundation.”
The PDP labeled APM’s expectations as “intellectually dishonest and economically illiterate,” particularly the notion that a state with limited industrial activity should suddenly outpace peers in VAT generation within two years of reform.
“Where was the APM when the state grappled with N407 billion in debt left behind by the APC? Why were they silent during the N135 billion revenue discrepancy we uncovered in 2023? Their sudden concern for Osun’s finances is nothing short of political opportunism.”
The statement urged citizens to distinguish between genuine performance critiques and politically motivated propaganda. “Governor Adeleke’s strategic investments—in infrastructure, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and key sectors like tech, agriculture, and the creative economy—are laying the groundwork for sustained VAT growth.”
In conclusion, the PDP cautioned APM and its allies against attempting to derail the state’s progress with “false equivalences and attention-seeking rants.”
“Osun is on the rise again,” the statement declared. “No amount of political noise will derail the renaissance currently underway.”
