Osun Cooperative Movement endorses Gov Adeleke for second term
By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Osun State Cooperative Movement under the umbrella of the Federation of Osun State Cooperative Ltd (FOSCOOP) has officially endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office as preparations intensify for the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
The endorsement was announced at a large gathering of cooperative leaders and members held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, where stakeholders drawn from across the state expressed their readiness to mobilise massively in support of the Governor’s re-election. The movement assured that cooperative societies statewide would actively participate in the electoral process to ensure continuity in governance.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Federation of Osun Cooperative (FOSCOP), Tiamiyu Adeoye, described the endorsement as a unanimous decision based on what he called the administration’s remarkable support for the cooperative sector. He stated that the cooperative movement in the old Western Region last experienced similar government backing during the era of Obafemi Awolowo as Premier of the Western Region.
Adeoye recalled that in 1952, Awolowo’s government injected one million pounds into cooperative societies, a historic intervention that strengthened and expanded the sector at the time. He noted that successive administrations in Osun State had not shown the same level of collaboration and commitment to cooperative development as witnessed under Governor Adeleke.
According to him, recent financial interventions and grants to cooperative societies across Osun State have boosted grassroots economic activities, empowered small business owners, and enhanced community-driven development. On behalf of the cooperative movement in the state, he formally declared total support for Governor Adeleke’s second-term bid and pledged sustained partnership to promote inclusive economic growth.
In his welcome remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Hon. Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe (FCSSM), commended the Governor for prioritising the welfare and growth of cooperative societies since assuming office. He reassured members that the administration remains dedicated to expanding funding opportunities and strengthening policies that benefit cooperative groups across the state. He added that the Governor has consistently demonstrated strong interest in the advancement of the cooperative movement.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Adeleke thanked the cooperative members for their support and urged them to come out in large numbers for the August 8, 2026 governorship election. He criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the opposition of poor governance while in office and contrasting it with his administration’s record in salary payments, pension settlements, cooperative grants, and infrastructure projects across major towns in the state.
The Governor disclosed that his administration approved nearly ₦4 billion to support cooperative societies, with close to ₦2 billion already disbursed. He described the intervention as one of the most significant investments in the cooperative sector in recent history.
He called on residents to remain vigilant during the election, participate actively in the democratic process, and safeguard their votes to ensure the continuation of developmental programmes across the state.
Among dignitaries present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Matron General of the Osun Cooperative Movement, Yeye Modupeola Adeleke-Sanni; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye; Head of Service, Elder Samuel Ayanleye; members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; and other party leaders.
The endorsement by Osun Cooperative Movement is seen as a major political boost for Governor Adeleke, considering the cooperative movement’s strong grassroots presence and influence across communities in Osun State as the 2026 governorship election approaches.
