Around one year and four months after assuming leadership of the state, Ademola Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State, has moved into the Okefia Government House, Osogbo, which is the official home of the governor.
Adeleke was inaugurated on Sunday, November 27, 2022, and instead of relocating to the Government House to reside like his predecessors, he opted to go back to his personal residence in Ede, a nearby town to Osogbo.
Despite facing criticism from the opposition All Progressives Congress, Adeleke stayed in his personal residence and at times conducted state business from there.
He stated that the Government House was undergoing renovation.
However, a statement released on Sunday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, mentioned that the renovation had been finished and Adeleke had now moved in.
Rasheed clarified that the restoration work included the main house, completion of an abandoned multi-bedroom guest house, redesigning of many of the structures, and repairing many run-down facilities.
At the reveal of the upgraded Government Residence, attended by top officials of the Osun State Government, Adeleke stated that his administration was dedicated to improving state assets regardless of whether they were inherited or started by him.
He stated, “I have improved the Government House just as I overhauled the Governor’s Office. We made sure the Government House was rescued from the neglect we inherited. You can all see the enhanced facilities which now position our state favorably among other states.
“I encountered an abandoned guest house where high-ranking individuals can be hosted instead of incurring large expenses on outside accommodation. I ordered its rehabilitation and today it is finished.
“The Presidential Lodge I found on the grounds was in a terrible state. Our team fixed it.
“Our administration is enthusiastic about enhancing state assets because they are for generations including those yet to come. We must genuinely act on the belief that government is an ongoing process. Abandoning projects or state assets as Osun witnessed in the recent past is a sign of poor leadership.”
Adeleke mentioned that his government was not only finishing inherited projects but also starting new ones.
“To the good people of Osun State, your governor has moved into the Government House. I promise to double our efforts in delivering on the five-point agenda. We are truly focused on sustaining good governance,” he said.
In response, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, criticized the renovated Government House as a misguided priority.
Lawal, in a statement, said, “It is unfortunate that while governors in other states are focused on lessening the damaging effects of the Federal Government's removal of fuel subsidy through relief measures, the governor of Osun State was busy celebrating something that cannot positively impact the people of the state.
“We want to convey to Governor Adeleke and his supporters that we, like other discerning members of the public in Osun State, are not pleased with the Adeleke N1bn rehabilitated Government House which had already been renovated to satisfaction by the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who is now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.”
