Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged critics of his administration to assess his leadership based on performance and measurable outcomes rather than personal style, insisting that his government has delivered good governance across all sectors of the state over the past three years.

Adeleke spoke on Sunday at the Iwude Ijesha Carnival in Ilesa, where he dismissed claims questioning his approach to leadership, stressing that effective governance is not rooted in intimidation or appearances.

“Leadership is not and should not be a master–servant relationship,” the governor said.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke emphasised that governance should be judged by its impact on people’s lives.
“Governance is about making a direct positive impact on the lives of the people. Your delivery as a governor is the best judge of your performance and capacity to lead,” he said.

“Judge me on my records, outputs and agenda as a governor. Those are the best globally accepted parameters to measure leadership. My people, I have delivered across sectors in the last three years. I positively touched all sectors and federal constituencies. My records affirm and validate my capacity and competence to continue to lead our dear state.”

While congratulating the Ijesa people on the Iwude Day celebration, Adeleke said his administration conducted a detailed assessment of Ijesaland’s developmental challenges shortly after assuming office in 2022. He noted that traditional rulers, including the late Owa, as well as Ijesa elites and intellectuals, provided extensive documentation that guided his government’s interventions.

“When we came on board in late 2022, Ijesaland was being plundered without accountability,” the governor said.
“There was an inglorious rape of the land actively aided by the government of the time.”

Adeleke said illegal mining had caused severe environmental degradation, with underground water across Ijesaland declared polluted and mining revenues diverted into private hands. He explained that his administration responded by launching comprehensive reforms in the mining sector.

“Today, Osun’s shareholding within the Segilola Gold Project is secure. Concerted war is being waged on illegal mining. Environmental cleanup is now a continuous exercise,” he said, adding that a professionally managed river clean-up project has also been introduced.

On water infrastructure, the governor said the Ilesa Water Project, which he described as a “centre of corruption” under the previous administration, had been reviewed and sanitised.
“A project meant to provide water supply to Ijesa people was turned into a channel of self-enrichment by some people from this land,” he said.

According to him, the project has now been restructured and is set to continue after processing by the Islamic Development Bank.

Adeleke also highlighted key campaign promises fulfilled in Ijesaland, recalling two demands made by the late Adimula during his governorship campaign.
“The first demand was the dualisation of Ereja palace junction to brewery junction. We have completed the dualisation, and solar street lights are installed,” he said.
“The second demand was for the University of Ilesa. With application of due process and support of men and women of goodwill, University of Ilesa is now a reality.”

He disclosed that an experienced Ijesa academic has been appointed as Vice Chancellor, while the chairman of the governing council is also from Ijesaland.
“Today, the University of Ilesa has close to 100 accredited courses. Our government is upgrading and expanding internal infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment,” he added.

The governor further noted that Ijesa indigenes occupy strategic positions in his administration, including commissioners for agriculture, environment, health, local governments and cooperative empowerment, alongside several advisers and senior officials.

“Ijesa people are at the heart of our government,” Adeleke declared.

Describing Ilesa as a land of entrepreneurs, the governor said his administration is partnering with the Palace of Adimula on a broad industrialisation agenda through renewed public-private partnerships, aimed at fast-tracking economic development in the area.