I Have Delivered Across All Sectors, Adeleke Replies Critics.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has responded to critics of his administration, urging them to assess his performance based on his record over the past three years, while maintaining that his government has delivered quality governance across all sectors of the state.

Speaking at the Iwude Ijesha carnival held in Ilesa on Sunday, Governor Adeleke reacted to criticisms of his leadership style, stressing that governance is not about appearing stern or constantly parading corridors of power, declaring, “Leadership is not and should not be a master–servant relationship.”

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor was quoted as saying: “Governance is about making a direct 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 on my records, outputs and agenda as a governor. Those are the best globally accepted parameters to measure leadership.

“My people, I have delivered across sectors in the last three years. I positively touched all sectors and federal constituencies. My records affirm and validate my capacity and competence to continue to lead our dear state.”

The governor, while congratulating the Ijesa people on the celebration of Iwude Day, explained that his administration carried out thorough assessments of the major development challenges facing Ijesaland shortly after assuming office in 2022, noting that “the late Owa listed some areas while many Ijesa elite and intellectuals availed us a lot of materials.”

He stated that upon assuming office in late 2022, Ijesaland was subjected to unchecked exploitation without accountability, alleging that the land was extensively degraded with the support of the previous government. He said environmental damage caused by illegal mining had become so widespread that underground water across Ijesaland was declared polluted, adding that revenue from the mining sector was diverted into private pockets rather than remitted to the state treasury.

According to him, his administration initiated comprehensive reforms in the mining sector, noting that Osun State’s equity in the Segilola Gold Project has now been secured. He added that sustained efforts are ongoing to combat illegal mining, environmental remediation has become a continuous exercise, and a river clean-up programme managed by professionals has been introduced.

Governor Adeleke further explained that the Ilesa Water Project, which he described as a corruption hub under the previous administration, was reviewed, leading to the implementation of anti-corruption measures that produced positive outcomes. He said a project intended to provide potable water for Ijesa communities had been turned into an avenue for personal enrichment, but has now been sanitised and is set to resume after processing by the Islamic Development Bank.

He added that beyond the numerous infrastructure projects already completed across Ijesaland, the late Adimula made two major requests during his governorship campaign, both of which, he said, have been fulfilled and surpassed.

The governor recalled that the first request was the dualisation of the Ereja Palace Junction to the Brewery Junction, which has now been completed with solar streetlights installed. The second request, he said, was the establishment of the University of Ilesa, which has now become a reality through due process and collective support, with local content ensured through the appointment of an experienced Ijesa academic as Vice-Chancellor and an Ijesa indigene as Chairman of the Governing Council.

He disclosed that the University of Ilesa currently offers nearly 100 accredited courses, while the government continues to expand and upgrade internal infrastructure to provide a conducive learning environment.

Governor Adeleke also stated that Ijesa indigenes are well represented in his administration, revealing that commissioners overseeing agriculture, environment, health, local governments, and cooperative empowerment are all from Ijesaland. He added that several advisers and senior officials from the area have been appointed and are actively contributing to governance, stressing that Ijesa people are central to his government.

Highlighting the entrepreneurial strength of Ilesa, the governor said the administration is collaborating with the Palace of the Adimula on a comprehensive industrialisation agenda, noting that the monarch is contributing experience, networks, and resources through a renewed public-private partnership aimed at accelerating industrial development in the area.