- Safiu Kehinde
The Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have again engaged in exchange of words over removal of campaign billboards.
APC was reported to have called out the state government over attack on its signages which the party alleged to be politically motivated.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement issued on Friday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Osun Governor on O’Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement Agency, Ridwan Ayofe, talked down the APC’s allegations, declaring them baseless and politically contrived.
Ayofe further described the Osun APC’s outcry as crocodile tears.
“Let it be stated, without equivocation, that the claims by the Osun APC are baseless, hollow and politically contrived, clearly designed to mask their growing unease over the unmistakable love and overwhelming support the people of Osun State continue to show for Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
“It is indeed amusing that a party that presided over years of neglect, regulatory arbitrariness and administrative recklessness now suddenly seeks refuge in feigned concern for legality and democracy.
“The sudden shedding of crocodile tears by the Osun APC is neither convincing nor redemptive; it is simply a loud reminder of a party struggling to come to reality with its rejection by the people.” He said.
The aide maintained that the state signage and advertisement agency fully operate within the confines of the law.
He alleged that APC’s outcry was simply borne out of the opposition party’s discomfort with the Ademola Adeleke administration which had since inception delivered people-oriented governance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Osun State Signage and Advertisement Agency operates strictly within the confines of the law. Regulations governing billboards and outdoor advertisements are uniform, transparent and non-discriminatory, applying equally to all political parties and stakeholders.
“There has been no directive explicit or implied, to victimize any party or candidate. Any insinuation to the contrary is a calculated distortion of facts.
“The truth the Osun APC finds uncomfortable is this: Governor Adeleke’s people-oriented governance has earned him genuine grassroots affection, not manufactured popularity.
“Roads are being built, workers are being paid, communities are being touched, and governance has returned to the people. No amount of press theatrics or alarmist propaganda can erase this reality.” Ayofe said.
He held that the APC’s outcry was nothing short of a panic and media dramatisation.
This, according to Ayofe, cannot safe the party from another defeat to Adeleke in 2026.
“It is therefore clear that this latest outburst is less about billboards and more about panic, panic in the face of an impending political reckoning.
“Let it be firmly noted that no volume of noise, victim narratives or media dramatization will save the Osun APC from another decisive defeat in the 2026 Governorship Election.
“We urge the APC to focus on rebuilding credibility among the people rather than engaging in futile attempts to discredit lawful institutions.
“Osun people are politically enlightened; they can clearly distinguish between governance and gimmicks.
“The Osun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, remains committed to fairness, rule of law and democratic principles, and no amount of political agitation will derail that commitment.” He added.