AIYEDATIWA’S RECORD: SAM ADEMUSI HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNOR’S ACHIEVEMENTS, RESPONDS TO CRITICS

AIYEDATIWA’S RECORD: SAM ADEMUSI HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNOR’S ACHIEVEMENTS, RESPONDS TO CRITICS

By Hon. Sam Ademusi, SA to the Governor

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration in Ondo State has continued to attract both commendation and criticism, with supporters pointing to its reported interventions in infrastructure, public-sector recruitment and financial management, while critics have questioned aspects of the administration’s policies and performance.

In this opinion piece, Hon. Sam Ademusi, a Special Assistant to the Governor, argues that the administration’s record should be assessed primarily through its projects, programmes and reported outcomes rather than political criticism.

Drawing from biblical accounts and quotations from William Shakespeare, Ademusi compares the challenges confronting the administration with the opposition faced by figures such as Nehemiah and David, arguing that criticism is an expected feature of public leadership.

According to him, Governor Aiyedatiwa inherited significant financial and infrastructural challenges and has sought to address them through the administration’s OUR EASE Agenda.

Ademusi specifically points to the state government’s reported efforts in debt management, payment of outstanding obligations, recruitment, infrastructure development and the rehabilitation of public facilities as areas through which he believes the administration’s performance can be assessed.

On the issue of public finances, Ademusi cites a reduction in Ondo State’s domestic debt and attributes an 82.6 per cent reduction to the Aiyedatiwa administration. He also states that the government has addressed outstanding salary, pension and gratuity obligations.

These figures and the wider assessment of the state's debt position should, however, be considered alongside official financial records and reports from relevant government institutions.

The governor’s administration has also highlighted recruitment into various sectors as part of its efforts to strengthen public services. Ademusi cites the recruitment of health workers, secondary and primary school teachers, as well as personnel for the Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly known as Amotekun.

He argues that such recruitment represents an effort to expand employment opportunities while addressing manpower requirements in critical sectors.

Infrastructure is another major area referenced in the article. Ademusi lists several road projects and other public infrastructure interventions, including roads within Akure and other parts of the state, school renovations, health-centre rehabilitation and solar streetlight projects.

He also mentions the resumption or advancement of initiatives involving water supply, public transportation, education and the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port.

The author argues that these projects provide a basis for assessing the administration beyond political disagreements, while acknowledging that public officials remain subject to scrutiny over the implementation, cost and impact of government programmes.

Using the biblical account of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem as an analogy, Ademusi describes Governor Aiyedatiwa as a leader focused on rebuilding institutions and infrastructure despite opposition.

He similarly invokes the story of David to portray the governor as a politician who, in his view, faced considerable political challenges before assuming the state's highest office.

However, these biblical comparisons reflect the author's political and personal interpretation of the governor's leadership rather than independently established assessments.

Ademusi concludes by arguing that the Aiyedatiwa administration should ultimately be judged by its documented actions and their effects on residents of Ondo State.

While the article strongly defends the governor against what the author describes as destructive criticism, the wider political debate over the administration's performance remains open to different interpretations based on available records, implementation outcomes and the experiences of residents across the state.

For Opima RealNews, claims concerning government expenditure, debt reduction, job creation and completed projects should be cross-checked against official records and independent documentation before being presented as established facts.

Hon. Sam Ademusi

Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State