“Exclusive: Osun Governor Adeleke Reflects on Two Years in Office, Challenges, and Achievements
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, opened up about his experiences in office, challenges faced, and the progress he has made over the past two years.
Adeleke, who took office after defeating an incumbent government in what many thought was an impossible victory, revealed that despite doubts about his ability to govern effectively, he had always been determined to succeed.
He reflected on how, in the 2018 election, he felt cheated, yet remained steadfast in his belief that God would eventually give him the opportunity. When he finally took office, he was committed to proving his critics wrong. “I laid out my blueprints silently and immediately I was sworn in, I began with action,” he said, dismissing claims that he would be a “dancing senator” merely focused on parties and celebrations.
One of his first priorities was to address abandoned projects in the state, including the Government House, which had been looted by his predecessors. “It took me one year to move into the Government House,” he explained, acknowledging the chaos left behind.
Despite this, he focused on moving forward, not wasting time on probes, and instead turned his attention to the pressing needs of the state, particularly in infrastructure development.
Governor Adeleke expressed pride in his achievements in the last two years, especially in the area of infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of improving roads and bridges in rural areas, recognizing the needs of farmers who rely on good roads to transport goods. “Infrastructure is very important. I’m not doing the ones that people will see. I go inside villages,” he explained. His government has successfully completed around 150 kilometers of road construction and is working on street lighting projects to enhance urban areas, making cities like Osogbo more beautiful and functional.
Despite inheriting a significant debt of N60 billion, Adeleke has managed to improve the state’s financial standing through improved tax collection and blocking financial leakages. “I am a very prudent administrator,” he said, stressing his hands-on approach to managing resources. Additionally, he revitalized the mining sector, generating new revenue streams for the state through licenses and initiatives that had been abandoned in the past.
On the issue of security votes, Adeleke clarified that he does not personally collect security votes. “I don’t collect, it’s there,” he said, revealing that the funds are used strictly for addressing security challenges in the state as needed.
Looking ahead, Adeleke is determined to continue his work in transforming Osun State, focusing on sustainable growth, infrastructural development, and fiscal responsibility while navigating the challenges of governance with a focus on practical solutions.
