The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations of disruptions in local government services, particularly in education and healthcare, amid the ongoing local government crisis in the state. The administration, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, assured residents that essential social services remain uninterrupted despite claims from opposition parties suggesting otherwise.
In a statement released on Monday, titled “Local Social Services and Governance Unimpeded Across Osun State,” Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the Governor, described the opposition’s assertions as “fake news from merchants of falsehood.” The statement emphasized that social services, including healthcare, education, and local government documentation, continue to operate seamlessly across the 30 local governments and the Area Council in Osun State.
Government’s Position on Service Continuity
The statement highlighted Governor Adeleke’s commitment to ensuring the effective delivery of public services across the state. “Local schools and health centers are operating efficiently, with patronage at an all-time high. Governor Ademola Adeleke recently visited some health centers and even witnessed two successful childbirths at Telemu and Ido Osun,” the statement read.
Addressing concerns about local government administration, the government reaffirmed that the current crisis has not hindered governance at the grassroots level. It reassured the public that municipal services, including the issuance of state of origin and local government identification documents, remain operational and have been digitized since 2023.
Emphasis on Digital Transformation
The government took the opportunity to outline its achievements in modernizing local governance, particularly through digitization. The statement noted that thousands of applicants have successfully accessed their state of origin and local government identification online in real time since last year.
“As part of the government’s push to digitize services for the citizens, the process for obtaining state of origin and local government identification documents has been fully automated since 2023. This initiative has greatly improved efficiency and transparency in service delivery,” Rasheed stated.
Opposition’s Allegations and Government’s Response
The opposition parties had earlier alleged that the local government crisis had led to a breakdown in essential services. However, the government challenged the credibility of these claims, questioning how such services could be described as “shut down” when those making the allegations had access to them during their inspections.
“If such local services were truly shut down, how come they were open and operating when those illegal impostors conducted their comedic visitations?” the statement queried, suggesting that the opposition was engaged in political theatrics rather than addressing genuine concerns.
The Adeleke administration accused the opposition of deliberately spreading misinformation to create unnecessary panic among residents. It reassured the public that local government operations continue as usual, with no disruption in key services.
Call for Public Confidence in Government Efforts
In light of the ongoing political dispute, the government urged residents to disregard opposition narratives and have confidence in the state’s commitment to good governance. The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Governor Adeleke’s dedication to serving the people of Osun State within the framework of the rule of law and democratic principles.
“As a pro-people leader, Governor Ademola Adeleke is committed to the sustenance of good governance and democratic dividends across Osun State within the context of the rule of law and fear of God,” the statement affirmed.
The local government crisis in Osun State remains a contentious issue, with both the government and opposition trading accusations. However, the state administration insists that essential services remain unaffected and that digital transformation efforts have enhanced service delivery. As political tensions persist, residents will be closely watching developments to see how the situation unfolds and whether local government stability is fully restored in the coming weeks.
