Between Oyetola’s Substance And Adeleke’s Propaganda In Modakeke.. By Kayode Sowade

In the politics of public infrastructure, the true test of leadership is not in fanfare, media optics, or ceremonial flag-offs, but in measurable impact, durability, and fairness in the distribution of development. This is why any honest comparison between the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the current government of Senator Ademola Adeleke, especially in Modakeke and across Osun State, reveals a clear difference between substance and spectacle.

For the people of Modakeke, the reconstruction of Famia Road remains one of the notable interventions associated with the Oyetola administration. At a time when many communities had resigned themselves to years of neglect, Oyetola’s government took concrete steps to address critical infrastructure needs in the area. The road project was not merely announced for headlines; it received practical government attention and stood as part of a broader governance approach that prioritized strategic intervention in underserved communities.

By contrast, the Adeleke administration’s much-publicized flag-off of the rehabilitation of the same Famia Road has raised serious questions. For many residents, the ceremony appeared more like a political performance than evidence of fresh vision. When a government celebrates the re-launch or rehabilitation of infrastructure that had already received major attention in the immediate past, citizens are right to ask whether governance has now been reduced to rebranding inherited efforts.

This concern becomes even more pronounced when one examines the wider infrastructure record of the present administration in Modakeke. Since assuming office in 2022, the Adeleke government’s footprint in the town has been widely criticized as minimal. Critics argue that beyond public relations messaging, the administration has little to show in terms of durable and transformational road construction in the community. Even the limited stretch of road often cited by supporters of the government has come under scrutiny over questions of quality and longevity, especially after reports that parts of it deteriorated quickly following rainfall. For a government that prides itself on performance, such outcomes naturally fuel public disappointment.

The contrast with Oyetola is important. Though his administration operated in a far tighter fiscal climate, it earned a reputation for prudence, prioritization, and responsible execution.

Oyetola was not a governor given to excessive noise. His style was deliberate, calm, and administrative. He focused less on media dramatization and more on leaving behind tangible projects across the state, including communities that had often been politically overlooked. That is why many residents today still point to projects executed under his watch as examples of thoughtful governance.

Perhaps the bigger issue in the current administration is the growing perception of lopsided development. Across Osun State, many observers have raised concern over the concentration of road infrastructure in Ede, the hometown of Governor Adeleke. While no one disputes the right of any town to enjoy development, governance becomes questionable when one area appears to receive disproportionate attention while other communities, including historically significant towns like Modakeke, are left with little beyond ceremonies, promises, and political messaging. This has led to accusations of favoritism and a deepening feeling that state resources are not being fairly spread.

The situation becomes even harder to defend when placed side by side with the issue of available resources. Oyetola governed Osun in far more difficult financial circumstances. Yet despite leaner inflows, he managed to keep government running, stabilize the public service, execute projects, and maintain a reputation for fiscal discipline. The current administration, on the other hand, has benefited from a significantly improved revenue environment. With far greater resources at its disposal, expectations should naturally be higher. But when increased funding results in louder propaganda rather than proportionately broader development, comparisons become inevitable.

This is the heart of the matter in Modakeke. Leadership is not measured by how many projects are flagged off before cameras. It is measured by the quality of roads that survive the rain, the fairness with which development is distributed, and the sincerity with which public funds are converted into public good. By those standards, the Oyetola years continue to stand out as a period of more responsible and balanced governance, while the Adeleke administration is increasingly accused of prioritizing optics over outcomes.

In Modakeke, the people can see the difference. One approach brought seriousness, planning, and visible substance. The other, many argue, has brought more noise than needful progress. As political debates continue ahead of future contests, the record in places like Famia Road will remain a telling reminder that governance is too important to be reduced to propaganda.