Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has launched a stinging attack on Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration, accusing it of grossly neglecting the state's key tourism assets, including the globally renowned Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and the historic Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls. The opposition party, through its Governorship Campaign Council, alleged on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, that poor maintenance and a complete lack of investment have left these internationally recognised destinations in a state of disrepair, presenting a shameful image to local and international visitors.
In a detailed statement issued by Adebayo Adedeji, Secretary of the Media and Publicity Committee and Team Leader of the Digital Media Committee of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, the party expressed particular outrage over the condition of infrastructure leading to major tourist attractions, especially as the state prepares to host the grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, a major cultural event that draws thousands of tourists and dignitaries from around the world. The APC alleged that the road leading to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nigeria, has been left in a deplorable and heart-breaking state. "Instead of presenting a welcoming gateway to one of Africa's most treasured cultural heritage sites, visitors are confronted with a picture of abandonment and neglect," Adedeji said, warning that the situation risks damaging the state's reputation on the global stage.
The party's criticism extended to the Erin-Ijesa (Olumirin) Waterfalls, a natural wonder discovered in 1140 AD and one of Nigeria's most iconic attractions. The APC accused the governor of making empty promises after the site came under harsh media scrutiny for abandonment in 2024. According to the statement, Governor Adeleke visited the site to "shed crocodile tears" and publicly vowed to transform it into a world-class destination, but nothing meaningful has materialised since. "The promises have amounted to nothing more than noise, rhetoric and empty image making," the party declared, contrasting the governor's inaction with the potential of the tourism sector to generate enormous revenue for the state.
The APC's allegations come at a politically charged moment, just weeks before the state's governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. The party seized the opportunity to present its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, as the solution to the state's tourism woes, touting his 7-Point Prosperity Agenda which prioritises tourism development. "Ambo is a man whose record inspires confidence. Beginning November 27, 2026, his administration will give Osun's tourism sector the attention it deserves," the statement read, promising that neglected roads leading to heritage sites would be transformed into gateways to prosperity.
The Adeleke administration has previously dismissed such allegations as politically motivated. In response to earlier criticisms over project spending and neglect, the governor's spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, had described the APC's claims as "falsehood" and insisted that the opposition had no credible record to defend. However, the government has not issued a specific rebuttal to the latest tourism accusations as of the time of this report. The state's official website highlights various plans and approvals for tourism upgrades, including the expansion of the Osun-Osogbo Grove and Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls, but the APC argues these have not translated into visible action on the ground.
Tourism remains one of Osun State's most underutilised economic assets. With a rich cultural heritage, including the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls, and numerous historical shrines and palaces, the state has the potential to become Nigeria's tourism capital. However, stakeholders have long complained about inadequate infrastructure, poor marketing, and a lack of sustained government commitment, issues that the APC now claims have worsened under the current administration.
As the election draws nearer, the battle for the soul of Osun State's tourism sector is set to intensify, with both the ruling party and the opposition accusing each other of failure while promising a brighter future for the state's cultural and natural heritage.
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