By Marvlous Ayebo.
The debt profile of Osun State has reignited tensions between Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), with both sides trading accusations over the state’s financial management.
Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday dismissed claims that the current administration had increased the state’s debt burden. Instead, he asserted that the debt profile had significantly reduced over the past two years under Adeleke’s leadership.
Adeleke’s Administration Defends Progress
Rasheed, quoting data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), said, “The domestic debt of Osun was N148.37bn as of December 2022, but it has now reduced to N86.06bn as of June 2024. Similarly, foreign debt was $91.78m as of December 2022 and has reduced to $78.17m as of June 2024.”
According to him, this represents a repayment of N62.31bn in domestic debt and $13.61m in foreign debt. He described the repayment as a necessary burden inherited from the APC-led administration.
If this administration didn’t inherit those debts, these amounts could have been invested in the good people of Osun State,”* Rasheed said, accusing the APC of orchestrating misleading reports to tarnish Adeleke’s image.
APC Challenges Debt Claims
In response, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi dismissed Rasheed’s figures as unreliable and accused the Adeleke administration of engaging in propaganda.
Whatever he is pushing to the public regarding the state debt portfolio is an afterthought that cannot be relied upon. The debt figures under Adeleke’s administration are already in the public domain. Where did Olawale get his own figures?” Olabisi queried.
Olabisi further criticized the governor’s camp for allegedly blaming the APC for its perceived failures. They can’t continue to use us as a scapegoat for their ineptitude,” he added.
Political Tensions Continue
This clash underscores the deep divide between the two factions as they debate the state’s financial management and the legacy of past administrations. While Adeleke’s government insists it is reducing the financial burden on Osun State, the APC remains skeptical of these claims, accusing the current administration of misrepresentation.
The back-and-forth highlights the contentious political environment in Osun as both sides vie to control the narrative ahead of future political contests.
By Marvelous Ayebo, Afro Connect Radio