Ahead of the 15 August governorship election in Osun State, residents of Iwo, one of the most populous towns in the state, have shared their assessments of the outgoing administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, highlighting both achievements and unmet expectations. The election will feature fourteen political parties and their candidates, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Residents Acknowledge Road Projects as Key Achievement
Interviews with a cross-section of Iwo residents, including drivers, traders, retired civil servants, and health workers, reveal that infrastructural development, particularly road construction and rehabilitation, has been the most visible impact of the Adeleke administration. In a statement published on the Osun State Government website on 5 July 2026, Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, listed several road projects carried out across Iwoland. These include the Araromi-Panada-Kuti Road, the Osogbo Junction-Ajigbaagun Road, the Feesu-Agbowo Road, the Ile-Amin-Jagun Ode Road, and the Post Office-Muniare-Oke Bode/Okefa Road. The statement also highlighted the dualisation of the Odo Ori-Adeke Road and the reconstruction of the Adeke Bridge, as well as plans to upgrade the old Samosta Farms for agricultural investment with community participation.
Although the major road dualisation project is still ongoing, the completed section has transformed that part of Iwo, giving it a more developed appearance. Residents like Abayomi Idowu acknowledged the improvement, noting that better roads could boost business activities and give Iwo greater visibility. He urged the government to complete the ongoing dualisation project. Musa Ajidawura, a bus driver, said the road projects, especially the dualisation, have made transportation easier for drivers, who no longer face the difficulties of bad roads. He also mentioned the reorganisation of the drivers' association, which brought different groups together under one umbrella, but appealed for more support, suggesting the government could help drivers acquire vehicles through instalment payments.
Mixed Views on Workers' Welfare and Pensions
Adijat Ali, a trader and retired civil servant with 33 years of public service, praised the current government for paying full salaries, contrasting it with the half-salary situation under former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola. She also commended the administration for what she called "cooperative benefits," which helped her establish her trading business. However, Mrs Ali, who retired this year, expressed concern over her unpaid pension and hopes the next administration will ensure retired workers receive their gratuities and pensions. Describing herself as non-partisan, she wished for the best candidate, with the interests of the people in mind, to win the election, without naming a preferred candidate.
Alayande Rasheed, a teacher at United Methodist Government School, spoke positively about the government's handling of teachers' welfare, citing regular salary payments and timely promotions. However, he noted persistent challenges in schools, including inadequate staffing and facilities, as well as poor security. He said his school's fence was pulled down during the road dualisation project and has not been rebuilt, leaving the school exposed to vandalism.
Student Welfare and Healthcare Gaps Highlighted
Adesanjo Idowu, a university student and indigene of Iwo, acknowledged the government's road projects as developmental progress. "He has tried his best so far, especially with the road project in Iwo," he said of Governor Adeleke. "I give him kudos for that. However, when it comes to students' welfare and benefits, he failed woefully. Student-focused policies should be visible, accessible, and impactful, not something that only a few people know about or can access." He called for bursaries and other benefits to be provided to all eligible students, not just a favoured few.
In the health sector, an official at Mosinola Primary Healthcare Centre, who requested anonymity due to her civil servant status, acknowledged improvements at the facility, including renovation, the provision of a gate, and a waiting area for pregnant women attending antenatal care. She also mentioned regular funding from the state government and the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS). However, she identified a shortage of drugs, inadequate laboratory space, and insufficient staff as ongoing challenges.
Residents Call for Sustained Progress and Fair Election
Abayomi Idowu also described the town's peaceful atmosphere as a benefit, saying it allows people to carry out their activities without fear. He called for a free and fair electoral process, urging security agencies and electoral officials to perform their duties without fear or favour. As the election approaches, the views of Iwo residents indicate that their expectations go beyond political promises. While some acknowledge improvements in roads, workers' welfare, education, and healthcare, they also point to areas needing attention, including pensions, student welfare, school facilities, healthcare staffing, and support for transport workers. They want the progress made to be sustained while the issues affecting the town and its residents receive more attention.
