Adeleke Slams Aregbesola: Calls His Tenure Osun’s Darkest Hour
Governor Ademola Adeleke has launched a strong rebuke against former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, describing his administration as the most disastrous in the state's history. In a fiery statement issued through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke accused Aregbesola of plunging Osun into deep financial chaos and administrative decay that left the state crippled for years.
According to the governor, Aregbesola’s two-term tenure was marked by massive debt accumulation, unpaid salaries, abandoned projects, and failed policies like the much-hyped but ineffective Opon Imo tablet scheme. Adeleke noted that he inherited a mountain of liabilities, including over ₦60 billion in outstanding salaries and pensions, which he claims his government has been systematically clearing, with 28 months of backlog already settled.
He further stated that the state’s debt profile has been significantly reduced under his leadership, citing data from the Debt Management Office as evidence. Adeleke also highlighted ongoing development efforts, including road construction and public infrastructure upgrades, which he insisted were being executed without incurring new debts.
The governor dismissed recent political remarks by Aregbesola as empty threats, saying the people of Osun had already moved past the "dark years" and would never forget the hardship endured during that period. He assured residents that his administration remains committed to transparency, fiscal discipline, and sustainable development.