The rivalry between the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress in Osun State has intensified, with the 2026 governorship election looming.
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has launched investigations into his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola’s, contracts and alleged mismanagement of state assets, according to Business Hallmark.
The APC claims these probes are politically motivated, aimed at discrediting the party and its former governor.
According to Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, the investigations are lawful and necessary to recover state properties illegally possessed by Oyetola’s officials.
However, APC Chairman Sooko Tajudeen Lawal accuses Adeleke of diverting attention from his own administration’s alleged mismanagement.
Lawal said it was “funny that an administration that awarded road/flyover contract to the serving deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly without following the due process would now suddenly consider the setting up of an implementation panel of the White Paper on the Contract Review Committee?
“We wondered why was it a day after our party accused Governor Adeleke of awarding state road/flyover contracts to his brother and nephew that he (Adeleke) suddenly considered it expedient to set up an implementation committee.
“Adeleke should thread softly as Osun people are now wiser and knowledgeable enough to read the true motive of his action meant to unjustifiably victimize the opposition for having the effrontery to catalog the series of frauds his government is perpetrating against the state in the name of prosecution of legacy projects.”
This feud dates back to 2018, when the PDP claimed Oyetola’s victory was stolen.
In 2022, Adeleke reclaimed power, defeating Oyetola.
Public affairs analyst Elder Moses Olorode notes that this ongoing battle may hinder continuity of beneficial projects, emphasizing the need for politicians to prioritize state development over party interests.
“What is happening in Osun State is not peculiar to that State alone, but across the country and this has been hindering continuity of good projects in virtually all the states of Nigeria.”
The 2026 election is expected to see Adeleke and Oyetola face off once more, prolonging the intense struggle for Osun State’s governance.
The ongoing probes and counter-accusations have heightened tensions, leaving residents wondering what the future holds for the state.
