A Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of concentrating a large proportion of its infrastructural development and political appointments in Ede, the governor’s hometown.

Oyinlola alleged that 75 per cent of the development undertaken by the Adeleke administration had been concentrated in Ede, arguing that the pattern was inconsistent with the vision of the state’s founding fathers, who, according to him, envisaged an equitable distribution of infrastructure and opportunities across Osun.

“A situation where 75% of all you have done is concentrated in one place. That wasn't the objective of the founding fathers of a state. The focus of the founding fathers is that there must be equal distribution of amenities around the state.”

The former governor made the allegation on Tuesday while speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun state. 

These stinging accusations come just days after Oyinlola publicly led a major faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to endorse Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election. By escalating his grievances from a lack of administrative inclusivity to specific allegations of regional bias, the former governor has intensified the pressure on the ruling party, creating deep structural fractures for the incumbent's campaign just days before the state heads to the polls.

Oyinlola cited the establishment of Osun State University during his tenure as an example of his approach to ensuring equitable distribution of development across the state.

 “When I established the Osun State University, I made this a six-campus university, one within the six zones of the state. I could have taken everything to Okuku as a usual practice. .That's what we mean by even development.”

Oyinlola further criticised what he described as the concentration of political appointments around Ede. He said the governor, Chief of Staff and several commissioners and special advisers were from Ede, while other parts of the state were allegedly not receiving equitable representation.

“Like I said, the focus of the founding fathers was equal distribution of amenities and indeed opportunities within the nooks and crannies of Osun State. You have the governor from Ede. You have the chief of staff from Ede. You have commissioners, about 16 from Ede and people felt that it shouldn't be so. I can tell you precisely that the number of SA’s, are mostly from Ede. Appointments to key positions, too. Ede enjoys a larger portion of his stake” 

The former governor contrasted the current pattern with the method he said he adopted when appointing commissioners during his tenure, arguing that he deliberately distributed political appointments among the state’s federal constituencies.

“When I was governor and I had to appoint 11 commissioners, I devised a means to ensure that there's equitable distribution of the position . I didn't appoint my brother's wife as commissioner. I didn't appoint my nephew into my government,” he stated.

Oyinlola, who served as governor of Osun State for seven and a half years, gave the reasons for endorsing the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, despite the development and infrastructure projects of the Ademola Adeleke administration.

“Look, when you talk of infrastructure, I don't want to go into that. I've been Governor in Osun State for seven and a half years. You can come and take a survey of the infrastructural development” 

“A situation where 79% of the entire infrastructural development is executed in one place compared with the rest of the state…I really don't want to go into the assessment of how things were done. But one thing I know is that loyalty is important.”

Oyinlola said Oyebamiji stood out among the candidates seeking to govern the state, citing his experience in government and long years of service as key factors behind the endorsement.

“If you take a survey of the candidates from the different platforms who are jostling to be elected as Governor of Osun State, I think oyebamiji stands out.”

“In our assessment, aside the Accord Party candidate, we believe that with his experience, having served in the States for a long while, he's in best position to serve better. And that's what informs our decision.”

Meanwhile, Oyinlola also dismissed reports that his endorsement of Oyebamiji was influenced by a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he had neither met nor spoken with the President in connection with the decision.

“I have never met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have never spoken with him at any given time. The last time I met him was during the coronation of Kabiyesi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan", he clarified.

Explaining his endorsement of Oyebamiji, Oyinlola said the APC candidate’s experience in government influenced his decision.

“But the interests of Osun State and its people must always confess and that is why we took that decision. Let's leave it to the people of Osun State to decide”

Oyinlola said the concentration of development and appointments were among the reasons he believed Osun needed a different direction. He also stressed that his support for Oyebamiji was based on his conscience and what he believed to be in the interest of the state.

“Osun State must always confess lack of inclusiveness. Another sundry act made it expedient for us to try to question a kind of new direction for Osun State and its people. And that, in a nutshell, was what made us to decide to throw in a cap for Oyebamiji of APC.”

Oyinlola said his concern for the development of Osun State was also rooted in the historical efforts of its traditional rulers to establish the province that later became the state.

“Why the issue of Osun State should be paramount to me in person was because on the 8th of October, 1950, some four obas drafted a petition and submitted to the Governor General of Nigeria, and that is Macpherson for the establishment of a province, Osun Province as at then, from a western region.”

He added that the history of the state and the sacrifices of its founding figures made it necessary for him to remain concerned about its direction and development.

“On a personal note, I think I should be concerned about what becomes of what our forefathers, they have all worked for. That is not to say that others did not work to make Osun State a reality. No, but no matter how long a rope must be, it must have a starting point. And that is the starting point for what is Osun State today. So, I think one should be concerned if things are not going in the right direction.” 

Asked whether Adeleke had performed since assuming office in 2022, Oyinlola said the governor had done his bit, but argued that a forensic assessment of the administration’s projects and their distribution was necessary.

“Without any sentiments, he has done his bit. But things can be done better. That's what I'm saying because we need to do forensic analysis of what has been done, how it has been distributed, and that kind of parameter being used to assess.”