On the surface, it was a simple directive. Governor Ademola Adeleke stopped over at Olaiya Bridge in Osogbo, observed its worsening condition, and ordered the Ministry of Works to act. Clean it up. Fix the shortcomings. Make it worthy of standing beside the newer, grander Okefia and Lameco flyovers before their commissioning.
But this is about much more than the rehabilitation of a bridge. It is about a style of governance that places public interest above political bitterness.
Let me remind you: Olaiya Bridge was not built by Governor Adeleke. It was inherited from the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. In today’s political climate, it would have been convenient for Governor Adeleke to ignore it, allow neglect to take its course, and later blame those who constructed it. Many politicians do exactly that — abandon inherited projects simply because they carry the fingerprints of their predecessors.
Governor Adeleke chose a different path
He has consistently maintained that government is a continuum. Public infrastructure does not belong to political parties; it belongs to the people. Once taxpayers’ money is used to build an asset, every responsible government has a duty to preserve it, irrespective of who initiated the project.
That decision speaks volumes about the difference between politics and governance.
Ironically, what should ordinarily be applauded as responsible leadership has become a source of discomfort for the Osun APC. Through your Governorship Campaign Council, you have condemned the planned rehabilitation of the Olaiya Flyover, alleging that it is a ploy to siphon public funds and create a slush fund for vote-buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
I must ask: do you listen to yourselves before issuing these statements?
This is the same party that proudly claims ownership of the bridge as one of its achievements in government. Yet, when another administration decides to preserve and maintain that same achievement for the benefit of Osun people, it suddenly becomes corruption.
What exactly is your position? Should the bridge be celebrated only when it serves partisan propaganda and abandoned when it requires maintenance?
The contradiction is glaring
Your reaction can only be explained by one thing: total election jitters.
You are clearly uncomfortable with the fact that Governor Adeleke has refused to play politics with public infrastructure. It would have been easier for you if Olaiya Bridge had deteriorated under his watch. You would have held press conferences and flooded social media with accusations of incompetence and neglect. Now that the governor has chosen to rehabilitate it, you have conveniently changed your narrative and are crying foul.
The truth is that Governor Adeleke has left the APC politically stranded. Every infrastructure project you once touted as your exclusive legacy is today being maintained, completed, or complemented by his administration. Your biggest campaign assets are gradually becoming evidence of Adeleke’s commitment to continuity in governance.
To label every developmental effort as vote-buying is not only unfortunate, it is insulting to the intelligence of Osun people. Governance did not stop because an election is approaching. Roads will still require repairs. Bridges will still require maintenance. Government’s responsibilities do not go on vacation during campaign season.
Governor Adeleke’s decision at Olaiya Bridge has exposed your mindset — that public assets are political trophies to be displayed or discarded depending on who occupies Government House.
Osun deserves better than that
The rehabilitation of Olaiya Bridge should never have been controversial. It should have been celebrated across party lines as an example of mature and responsible leadership. That you have chosen to politicize it only reveals a party increasingly rattled by the reality on the ground.
The people of Osun are watching. They can see the difference between those who merely talk about legacy projects and those who are willing to preserve them for generations yet unborn.
Governor Ademola Adeleke may not have built Olaiya Bridge, but by choosing to maintain it, he has built something even more important: public confidence in the principle that government is indeed a continuum.
Signed:
Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and Judicial Reform
