Osun Governor Adeleke Denounces APC Manifesto as ‘Ill-Thought-Out Concoction’ as Workers Endorse Rival

Key facts

• Governor Ademola Adeleke criticized the APC manifesto as an 'ill-thought-out concoction' at a May Day rally in Osogbo.
• The APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, unveiled a seven-point 'Osun Prosperity Agenda' for the August 15, 2026 election.
• A workers’ group, the Association of Concerned Local Workers, endorsed Oyebamiji after a 'thorough evaluation'.
• Over 400 local government workers have been suspended and removed from the payroll for working with reinstated APC officials.
• The association claimed 54 council staff died since the crisis began, citing frustration and stress.
• Adeleke said the Oyetola administration allocated less than N100 million annually to agriculture from 2017 to 2022.
• The APC campaign council defended the manifesto, saying it has gained 'massive public acceptance'.

Adeleke’s May Day Attack on Opposition Agenda

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke used the 2026 May Day rally, organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Osogbo, to launch a blistering critique of the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Saturday, Adeleke described each item in the APC’s seven-point plan as an 'ill-thought-out concoction hurriedly packaged together to deceive the people.' He argued that the ideas reveal confusion within the opposition camp and are incompatible with the needs and aspirations of Osun residents. The governor specifically targeted the 'Osun Prosperity Agenda' of APC candidate Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, a former finance commissioner under ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Adeleke contrasted his own administration’s investments in cash crop expansion, tractorisation, and seedling initiatives with what he called the previous government’s neglect of agriculture. He noted that between 2017 and 2022, the Oyetola administration allocated less than N100 million per year to agriculture, including cash and food crops, making Oyebamiji’s promise of agro-processing zones unrealistic without prior production.

Workers’ Endorsement and Suspension Controversy

On the same day, workers under the Association of Concerned Local Workers endorsed Oyebamiji ahead of the August 15, 2026, gubernatorial election. The endorsement, announced at the Olorunda Local Government premises, was based on what the group called a 'thorough evaluation' of the candidate. Chairman Comrade Adedayo Adekunle directed all members to back Oyebamiji to ensure his victory, presenting a symbolic gift on behalf of the workers. The endorsement came with sharp criticism of Governor Adeleke over the suspension of more than 400 local government workers. these employees were suspended and removed from the state payroll for resuming duties with reinstated APC local government executives. He claimed the figure continues to rise and alleged that the lingering council control crisis has taken a severe toll: 54 staff members have died across various councils due to frustration, emotional stress, lack of social interaction, and related health challenges.

Adeleke’s Critique of Oyebamiji’s Record

Adeleke challenged Oyebamiji’s credibility by pointing to his tenure as finance commissioner under Oyetola. The governor said Oyebamiji promised to boost internally generated revenue 'without pain,' yet as commissioner he taxed artisans, traders, and okada (motorcycle) riders until his last days in office without providing empowerment or welfare support. Adeleke also dared the opposition to disclose the amount Oyetola gave to cooperatives during his tenure, contrasting it with his own administration’s significant disbursements to cooperative movements across the state. On workers’ welfare, Adeleke dismissed the APC’s pledge to prioritize workers and pensioners and clear arrears through structured financing as a 'lie,' calling the previous administration 'labour’s poison.' He further criticized the APC’s promise of youth and tech empowerment through an Osun Tech City, noting that during the APC’s tenure the state had no ICT policy and the digital economy was 'foreign to them.'

APC Campaign Council’s Rebuttal

The APC campaign council defended Oyebamiji’s manifesto through its Head of Media and Publicity, Oluremi Omowaiye. Omowaiye asserted that the seven-point Prosperity Agenda has gained 'massive public acceptance' and that the Adeleke camp was rattled by the clarity of the ideas presented. The council described the governor’s dismissal of the blueprint as 'curiously, and quite predictably, the rudderless campaign council for Ademola Adeleke has attempted to dismiss this comprehensive and forward-looking blueprint as empty and jaded.' The exchange underscores the deepening political battle ahead of the August 15 election, with both sides trading accusations over governance records and worker welfare. The council’s statement did not directly address Adeleke’s specific criticisms on agriculture, taxation, or ICT policy.

Council Control Crisis and Human Toll

The suspension of over 400 local government workers is rooted in a protracted council control crisis in Osun State. Workers who resumed duties with APC-reinstated executives were penalized by the Adeleke administration, which backs a different set of local government officials. The Association of Concerned Local Workers claimed that the crisis has led to the deaths of 54 staff members, attributing the fatalities to frustration, emotional stress, and lack of social interaction. Abiodun Idowu, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State, pledged that council authorities would prioritize workers’ welfare, recruit qualified personnel to address manpower shortages, and sustain training programmes for staff and political office holders. The pledge came amid calls from the workers’ group for the abolition of casualisation in government establishments, improved workplace safety, respect for labour unions, and increased investment in workers’ skills development.

What Comes Next: The August 2026 Election

The August 15, 2026, gubernatorial election in Osun State is shaping up to be a fierce contest between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC candidate Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji. Adeleke’s May Day speech and the workers’ endorsement highlight the key battlegrounds: economic revival, worker welfare, and local government autonomy. The council control crisis and the human toll of suspensions add a layer of urgency to the campaign. Both camps are mobilizing support, with Adeleke emphasizing his agricultural investments and cooperative funding, while Oyebamiji’s campaign touts a comprehensive seven-point agenda. The APC’s ability to address the suspension issue and Adeleke’s record on worker relations will likely influence voter sentiment. The election will also test the impact of the council crisis on turnout and loyalty among local government employees.

Stakes for Osun’s Future

The outcome of the August election will determine the direction of Osun State’s economic and social policies. Adeleke’s administration has focused on cash crop expansion and cooperative support, while Oyebamiji promises a tech-driven prosperity agenda. The workers’ endorsement of Oyebamiji signals discontent with the current administration’s handling of the council crisis, but Adeleke’s critique of the APC’s past performance may resonate with voters who remember the Oyetola years. The deaths of 54 council workers, if verified, could become a rallying cry for labor unions and a liability for the government. As the campaign intensifies, both candidates will need to address the practical concerns of Osun residents, from agricultural productivity to job creation and local governance stability. The election is not merely a political contest but a referendum on which vision can deliver tangible improvements to the state’s beleaguered workforce and economy.

The bottom line

• Governor Adeleke attacked the APC manifesto as a deceptive 'concoction' and highlighted his own agricultural investments.
• Workers under the Association of Concerned Local Workers endorsed APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji after a 'thorough evaluation'.
• Over 400 local government workers have been suspended for working with reinstated APC executives, and 54 staff have died during the council crisis.
• Adeleke criticized Oyebamiji’s record as finance commissioner, alleging heavy taxation without welfare support.
• The APC campaign council defended the manifesto, claiming it has gained 'massive public acceptance' and that Adeleke’s camp is rattled.
• The August 15, 2026, election will be a key test of economic and labor policies in Osun State.