The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2026 election in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), and Governor Ademola Adeleke have engaged in a war of words over the state of the health sector in the state.
Oyebamiji had earlier promised a total overhaul of Osun’s health sector if elected governor, lamenting what he described as the moribund condition of health facilities across the state. He said the situation constitutes a major setback to development.
However, Governor Adeleke dismissed the claims as baseless and a deliberate attempt at disinformation, insisting that Osun is ranked first in the South-West in the provision of primary healthcare.
He said his administration has renovated over 200 primary healthcare centres across the state.
Adeleke further alleged that Oyebamiji, while serving under the previous APC administration, was part of a committee that mismanaged a $20 million World Bank grant meant for the renovation of primary healthcare centres.
“Osun will not return to the days of insensitive leadership,” the governor said.
Reacting, Oyebamiji, through his campaign movement coordinator, Adebayo Adedeji, insisted that the health sector has deteriorated since Adeleke assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Adedeji said attacks on Oyebamiji would not change facts already in the public domain.
He cited a report by CheckMyPHC.org, which he said highlighted a critical workforce gap in Osun’s primary healthcare centres.
According to the report, 73 per cent of primary healthcare centres in the state lack adequate staff to function effectively, with the majority having between zero and one personnel, while 44 per cent reportedly have no staff at all. This, he said, means nearly three out of every four PHCs in Osun State are severely understaffed.
The report also noted that many PHCs lack access to clean water, functional toilets and basic hygiene supplies, making effective patient care difficult.
Adedeji further recalled that during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, under whom Oyebamiji served, over 300 of the state’s 600 primary healthcare centres were renovated. He accused the Adeleke administration of failing to build on that legacy.
“Adeleke administration chose to play uncharitable politics with the health of the people, sacked health workers employed by the APC government, badmouthed the facilities, which representatives of the World Bank—the donor agency for the project—had endorsed as world-class.
“The APC government’s contribution to health is eternally commendable. The records are there; therefore, no amount of name-calling can diminish such an outstanding achievement witnessed under the leadership of Oyetola.”
He added, “About 9,000 health workers needed in Osun, yet the government has not recruited a single worker to replace those sacked out of jealousy and political vendetta.”