Adeleke campaign accuses Oyebamiji of economic mismanagement during Oyetola administration

The Imole Campaign Council has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, of leaving behind a record of economic mismanagement during his tenure in government, rejecting his claim that his years in public service prepared him for the governorship position.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council said Oyebamiji’s experience as former Commissioner for Finance under the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola did not translate into improved economic outcomes for the state, alleging that Osun’s finances deteriorated during that period.

The campaign council claimed that under Oyebamiji’s supervision of state finances, Osun’s domestic debt rose to N148 billion, while external debt increased to $91 million. It added that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke had since reduced the state’s domestic debt to N83 billion and external debt to $75 million.

The council also alleged that Oyebamiji left behind N75.8 billion in unpaid obligations, including workers’ salaries, pensions and insurance commitments, which it said the Adeleke administration cleared after assuming office.

“Under Oyebamiji’s supervision of the state finances, Osun experienced one of its worst economic conditions as public resources failed to count for the people,” the statement said.

The campaign council further cited inflation figures, saying food inflation in Osun stood at 22.24 percent in 2022 during the Oyetola administration but declined to 11.9 percent by 2025 under Adeleke, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

It also argued that the Adeleke administration had improved financial transparency, pointing to Osun’s reported 100 percent fiscal transparency score in the Q3 2025 report by BudgIT as evidence of stronger accountability practices.

Beyond state finances, the council questioned Oyebamiji’s performance in other public roles, including his tenure as Managing Director of Osun State Investment Company Limited and his time at the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), where it alleged that his leadership record was marked by failures.

The APC candidate had reportedly argued during a campaign engagement in Ilesa that his years in government equipped him with the experience needed to govern Osun State.

However, the Imole Campaign Council dismissed the claim, describing his record in government as a period of unfulfilled promises and economic hardship.

The council accused the APC of failing residents in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and social services, arguing that voters rejected the party in the 2022 governorship election because of dissatisfaction with its performance.

It urged Osun residents to judge Oyebamiji based on his past record and expressed confidence that Governor Adeleke would secure re-election in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.