The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended birthday wishes to Governor Ademola Adeleke on his 65th birthday, but not without using the occasion to sharply criticize his administration’s performance.
In a statement on Tuesday, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, described Governor Adeleke’s leadership as a “monumental failure” since assuming office more than two years ago. The APC accused him of delivering little to no dividends of democracy and urged him to reflect and redirect his policies for the benefit of Osun residents.
“Your birthday should serve as a moment for introspection and redirection,” the party advised, cautioning that the remainder of Adeleke’s four-year tenure should focus on meaningful governance. The APC further criticized what it called the governor’s divisive and vindictive leadership style.
In a swift response, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the APC’s remarks, accusing the opposition of projecting its own failings during its tenure from 2018 to 2022. He defended the governor’s record, citing improvements in workers’ welfare, education, infrastructure, and debt reduction since November 2022.
“The story of Osun changed for the better under Governor Adeleke,” Rasheed said, highlighting a jump in the state’s NECO ranking and a 40% reduction in public debt. He also referenced ongoing salary and pension payments, improved healthcare access, and strong support from civil servants.
Rasheed praised President Bola Tinubu for sending Adeleke a birthday message, contrasting the gesture with what he called the APC’s “lack of political maturity.”
“The Osun APC is clearly rattled. We advise them to surrender ahead of 2026,” he concluded.
