The Advocacy for Good Governance in Nigeria (TAGGIN), Osun State Chapter, finds it necessary to once again draw the attention of the public to the troubling political realities unfolding in our dear state. Recent developments, including the widely circulated video featuring Elder (Dr.) Akin Ogunbiyi, have only reinforced what many discerning observers have long understood: the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is not driven by progress, but by power, control, and self-serving interests.
In the said video, Elder Ogunbiyi spoke candidly about high-level political discussions involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Osun governorship aspirants. His revelations, particularly regarding the internal fractures within the APC and the lack of confidence in its gubernatorial prospects, expose a party in disarray, one that has lost both direction and credibility.
However, beyond internal crises, what is most concerning is the APC’s continued actions that directly undermine the growth and development of Osun State. The ongoing withholding and politicisation of local government allocations stand as a glaring example of this anti-people agenda. Local governments are the closest tier of governance to the people, responsible for grassroots development, basic infrastructure, and essential services. Starving them of funds is not just a political tactic it is an attack on the welfare of ordinary citizens.
What we are witnessing is a calculated attempt to cripple governance at the grassroots level, frustrate the current administration, and create artificial hardship all in a bid to regain political control. This is not governance; it is sabotage.
It is deeply ironic that many of those now parading themselves as the “new face” of the APC in Osun are the same individuals who presided over a period widely criticised for stagnation and lack of impactful development. Figures such as former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and other key actors in that administration can not distance themselves from a legacy that failed to deliver meaningful progress for the people. Their re-emergence signals not a fresh start but a continuation of the same ineffective and self-centered governance style.
The truth remains that where the APC stopped in Osun State was not a place of progress, but one marked by limited development, disconnect from the people, and governance that prioritised political interests over public good. Their current maneuvers only confirm that nothing has changed.
In contrast, the growing acceptance of Governor Ademola Adeleke among the people reflects a shift in public consciousness. The people of Osun are increasingly aligning with leadership that prioritises inclusivity, development, and responsiveness to their needs.
TAGGIN, therefore, calls on the federal government to act with fairness and responsibility by ensuring that Osun State receives its rightful allocations without political interference. The weaponisation of federal resources against a state for partisan advantage is a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of democracy.
Osun State belongs to its people, not to any political party. Governance must be about service, not control. Development must be intentional, not conditional.
The APC must be told clearly: Osun is not a political battleground to be conquered at all costs—it is a state yearning for genuine progress. Any party or actor that stands against that progress will ultimately be rejected by the people.
E-signed: Comrade James Onifade
National Coordinator, TAGGIN
