Osun Election: Oyinlola Reveals Why He Dumped Adeleke For APC Candidate

According to IReporter Online, Oyinlola said several factors influenced his decision, including the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adeleke’s decision to leave the party for the Accord Party without what he considered sufficient consultation, and concerns over the distribution of government projects across the state.

The former governor made his position known during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.

Oyinlola explained that PDP leaders in Osun had anticipated that the crisis affecting the party at the national level could eventually weaken its structure in the state. According to him, this prompted stakeholders to begin exploring an alternative political platform for Adeleke.

He said discussions had been held with Adeleke before the governor travelled abroad, with an agreement that stakeholders would meet after his return to further deliberate on the political situation.

However, Oyinlola said he was surprised to discover through social media that Adeleke had resigned from the PDP and joined the Accord Party.

The former governor also criticised the distribution of major development projects under Adeleke’s administration, alleging that a significant portion had been concentrated in Ede, the governor’s hometown.

Oyinlola argued that the founding vision of Osun State was based on balanced and equitable development across its different areas.

He claimed that out of approximately ₦362 billion spent on major projects across the state’s senatorial districts, about ₦260.5 billion had been spent in Ede.

According to him, concentrating development in one area at the expense of other parts of the state was not in the best interest of Osun.

Oyinlola also challenged Adeleke’s claim that he personally purchased a vehicle for the former governor, insisting that the vehicle was provided by the Osun State Government as part of benefits guaranteed to former governors under state law.

He explained that the legislation provides former governors with certain entitlements, including the periodic replacement of official vehicles, as well as security personnel, drivers and domestic support.

Oyinlola said it was therefore inaccurate to suggest that Adeleke personally bought the vehicle for him, adding that he was still entitled to additional vehicles under the arrangement.

The former governor further cited what he described as the weakening of the PDP’s internal structure in Osun as another reason for withdrawing his support for Adeleke.

He criticised the lack of regular meetings at the party’s headquarters in Osogbo, arguing that political parties require consistent meetings and engagement among stakeholders to remain effective.

Oyinlola maintained that his decision to support Oyebamiji was consistent with his political principles and recalled that he had previously backed former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola shortly before an election following disagreements with the PDP.

He said his decision was not one he took hastily, stressing that his 30 years of service in the Nigerian Army taught him to carefully assess situations before reaching conclusions.

Oyinlola added that, having considered the political circumstances surrounding the forthcoming election, he had no regrets about his decision to support the APC candidate.