…Accuses APC of sabotaging cultural upgrade projects
The Osun State Government has declared that no amount of blackmail or fake news from the opposition will stop Governor Ademola Adeleke from pursuing his administration’s plan to expand the state’s tourism sector and upgrade cultural sites.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday in Osogbo.
The statement reads partly: “No amount of blackmail and fake news will discourage Governor Ademola Adeleke from expanding Osun tourism sites and tourist inflow through upgrade of the state’s many cultural sites.”
“Osun is also pushing for many of our historical, religious sites to be recognised by UNESCO, an affirmation that normally places such centres on global tourism and donor focussed maps. Several international teams have conducted historical verification of those marked sites and what remains is for the state to clean up the sites, add some facilities and market to the world.”
“Those already awarded are even not funded because of the withholding of the Osun Fund by the Federal Government. Is APC not ashamed of its failed attempt to slow down Osun development by promoting fake news and blocking funds for development?”
“Any administration that has a skeleton in its cupboard will not regularly update its procurement site. The administration complied with due process and posted its operations and conclusions in the public domain. Is that not transparency in action? There is no smoking gun.”
Rasheed described the opposition’s campaign as “shameful”, insisting that the cultural upgrade project was designed to attract global attention, stimulate the local craft economy, and increase tourist inflow to the state.
He explained that the projects would be executed in phases across various cultural centres, each to be fitted with standard pavilions, auditoriums, art and craft workshops, and museums.
He stressed that there was no nepotism in the selection of sites.
The Spokesperson further accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to derail Osun’s development by spreading misinformation and blocking federal funds meant for the state.
He added that Governor Adeleke had consistently demonstrated transparency in governance by publishing budgetary and procurement records on the state’s website, a move he said was evidence of accountability.
