Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has received an award from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in recognition of his commitment to the rule of law. However, the governor has also found himself in the midst of renewed political tension with his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, whom he sharply criticised on Monday.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke clarified that contrary to recent reports, he did not rebuke the Supreme Court over its judgment on the controversial local government dispute in Osun State. He described the claims as misleading and reaffirmed his respect for the judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy.
Meanwhile, the governor launched a scathing attack on former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in response to the latter’s alleged threats to unseat him in the 2026 governorship election.
Describing Aregbesola’s administration as “the worst in Osun history,” Adeleke accused the former governor of leaving behind a legacy of “huge debt, half salaries, scam learning tablets (Opon Imo), and inflated, abandoned projects.”
“The empty boast of Mr Aregbesola about 2026 is a symptom of a troubled mind who sees wrong visions, who is battling his benefactor, and who is haunted by the pains and suffering he inflicted on millions of Osun people,” the statement read.
Governor Adeleke said his administration had paid 28 months of the half salaries owed by Aregbesola’s government and cleared close to ₦60 billion in pension debt. He also claimed to have reduced Osun’s debt burden by 40%, without borrowing for infrastructure development.
Listing his achievements, Adeleke cited the construction of over 200 kilometres of roads, the rehabilitation of more than 200 schools and health centres, free health insurance coverage for over 30,000 pensioners, and free medical surgeries for more than 60,000 residents. He also highlighted the completion of abandoned university projects and the establishment of the University of Ilesa.
“Within less than three years, Governor Adeleke has surpassed the delivery of Mr Aregbesola’s eight years without borrowing a kobo,” Rasheed said.
The statement concluded with a strong rebuke: “Mr Aregbesola is a shrew (Asin tí ò mọ̀ pé òun ń rùn) who does not know that he is smelling. 2026 is payback time when Osun people will punish the former governor and his new party for wilfully inflicting pain and suffering on Osun people throughout his eight-year rule.”
As political temperatures rise in Osun ahead of the next election cycle, Governor Adeleke’s administration appears focused on consolidating support by highlighting contrasts with the past, while maintaining his public image with national recognition such as the NBA’s award for legal adherence.
