A Year Of Controversies

• Mixed Reactions Trail Adeleke’s First Anniversary

• PDP Scores Gov High, As LP Demands Governance With Direction

GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke’s first anniversary as the Governor of Osun State did not come with pomp and pageantry, like those of his predecessors. 

Adeleke was sworn-in as the fifth governor of the state (in the fourth republic) on November 27, 2022, having won the July 16, 2022 governorship election with 403,371 votes to defeat the then incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola. OSUN DEFENDER noted that aside Adeleke’s absence in the state, there was no activity to either mark or celebrate the Governor’s 365 days on the exalted seat.

The Governor, in an interview with a private radio station in Osogbo, on Monday, explained that he traveled out of the state to rest and attend to his health. 

Adeleke noted that apart from taking a leave to rest and check his health, he also travelled to meet investors and attract investments to the state. 

He said, “You must agree with me that all this time, I have been working and working and I need a break. That is what I’m doing. To make sure I’m fit because health is wealth. 

“Also, I came here to check some investors. They have been coming to Nigeria and I feel I need to also come here to meet them to attract investment to Osun State.”

OSUN DEFENDER noted that both the actions and inactions of Adeleke have stirred controversies ever before his inauguration as the Governor of the State. 

His achievements within the one year span have also come with controversies.  

100 Days Agenda Request

The first of such was when the Governor asked the 35-man transition committee to give him an agenda for his first 100 days and a year in office, a statement that generated criticism from opposition parties and social analysts. 

Adeleke made the request while inaugurating the transition committee in July 2022. 

According to the opposition parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adeleke’s request signaled that he was not prepared for governance and also lacked capacity to govern the state. 

From State Of Osun To Osun State

During his inaugural speech, Governor Adeleke declared that Osun would no longer be addressed as “State of Osun” but “Osun State”.

Adeleke also reversed the state’s appellation from “The State of the Virtuos” to “The State of the Living Spring”.

But the 7th House of Assembly, headed by Hon. Timothy Owoeye, frowned at the declaration of the Governor, saying he did not have power to rename the state. 

The Assembly, in a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Kunle Akande, argued that the anthem, crest and flag of the state was an enactment of a law assented to on December 18, 2012, and no person can exact force to change it.

“The usage of the State Anthem, Crest and Flag is an enactment of the law and as such, its usage is a matter of law and not choice”, said the assembly.

The action of the governor generated controversies across the length and breadth of the state. It also portrayed him as somebody who was not in terms with the working of the government. 

Dissolution Of OYES

OSUN DEFENDER noted that a controversial action of the Governor was the dissolution of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) without an alternative in place. 

The Governor had on February 16 dissolved OYES and announced Imole Youth Corps as replacement.

In a circular issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, the state government said the decision was taken to reposition the youth empowerment programme inherited from the previous government for effective functionality, sustainability and dignity of labour.

But nine months after the dissolution of the scheme, the Imole Youth Corps has not come to lime light, even after thousands of people had obtained the form. 

The Borehole Project

Adeleke had reeled out what he described as unprecedented achievements in the State within a 100-day in office as the Governor of the state on March 7, 2023.

Part of the achievements listed are the construction of borehole in each of the 332 wards of the state, and construction of 20km roads.

The borehole project has ever since remained a subject of controversy. 

Adeleke had declared at the maiden edition of his public engagement programme, Ipade Imole, on October 5, 2023, that each of the borehole costs N1.5m. There had been insinuations that the state government had awarded each of the boreholes at a cost of N14m. 

However, OSUN DEFENDER noted that the state government has refused to publish the exact location of the borehole in each of the 332 wards. 

A civil society group, The Osun Masterminds, had on October 31 this year dragged Adeleke to the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences (ICPC), alleging him of fraud on the borehole project. 

The Spokesperson of the group, Comrade Ayo Ologun alleged that the borehole project was in flagrant violation of the Osun Public Procurement Law, 2015, and thereby appeared fraudulent.

Appointment Of Late Brother’s Wife, Nephew As Commissioner, LGSC Chair 

Governor Adeleke had on July 19 inaugurated his appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers with their portfolios.

Adeleke announced himself as the Commissioner for Works and his deputy as Commissioner for Sports. 

The Governor also appointed his late brother’s wife, Mrs Folashade Adeleke as Commissioner for Federal Matters.

Few days later, Adeleke appointed his nephew, Tunji Adeleke (Jnr), as the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission.

The APC described Adeleke’s action as a clear case of nepotism.

Suspension Of OSPOLY Rector, Odetayo 

One of the major controversial issues that shook Adeleke’s administration is the suspension of Dr Tajudeen Odetayo as the Rector of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and the susbsequent appointment of Adeleke’s kinsman, Kehinde Alabi, as Acting Rector. 

Odetayo was suspended by the state government in a letter dated July 11, 2023 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Muritala Jimoh.

The state government said Odetayo’s suspension came on the heel of allegations of financial recklessness, fraud, corruption and abuse of office contained in a petition against him.

But investigations by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that there was no petition against Odetayo as of the time of his suspension. The only petition writing against Odetayo was received at the ministry of education on July 20, 2023, nine days after his suspension. 

Investigations also revealed that Odetayo’s suspension preceded a query issued to him by the Ministry of Education. 

The query with reference number HEBS/TE/PO/V.1 was dated August 1, 2023, 20 days after the rector’s suspension. 

Odetayo is currently challenging his suspension at the National Industrial Court in Ibadan.

OSIEC Chairman Appointment

The appointment of Mr Hashim Abioye as the Chairman of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has continued to generate controversies. Abioye was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Lega Matters before given a new appointment. 

The APC, Labour Party and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) condemned Abioye’s appointment, chiding Adeleke for appointing a PDP member as the head of an electoral body that supposed to be fair to all political parties. 

“It is evident that Barrister Hassim is a card-carrying member of the ruling party, which raises doubts about the fairness and impartiality of the electoral process”, said Mr Simon Adebayo, Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM). 

Suspension Of O’ Ambulance Gm 

The Osun State House of Assembly had on September 14 recommended the suspension of the General Manager of Osun Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OSEMSAS), Dr. Segun Babatunde, to the Governor, for alleged infractions. 

Babatunde was subsequently suspended before he was queried, according to findings by OSUN DEFENDER. Adeleke thereafter appointed his secondary school classmate, Mukaila Olapade, who is also an indigene of Ede, as the Acting General Manager of the agency. 

 The Chief Judge Saga

Aside the Governor’s absence for his first anniversary, the current controversy of the Adeleke administration is the reversed suspension of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo. 

Governor Ademola Adeleke who relied on the recommendation of the state assembly had asked Justice Ojo to step aside on Thursday, November 17. Adeleke also appointed Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the Acting Chief Judge. But Justice Afolabi refused to show up for his swearing-in which was to be done by the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Kola Adewusi. 

However, Adeleke denied suspending the Chief judge and appointing an Acting CJ three days after, following backlash from some members of the public.

Justice Ojo had earlier before her suspension approached an Industrial Court in Ibadan which restrained the state government, Adeleke and others from suspending or sacking the CJ. The case is still pending at the court for determination of the suit. 

PDP Scores Gov High, As LP Demands Governance With Direction 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed satisfaction with the quality of governance and achievements of Adeleke administration within a year. 

According to PDP, Adeleke has been governing the state with utmost fear of God and respect to the people of the state, describing the Governor’s commitment to a better Osun as incredible.

The PDP, in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, commended Adeleke for being a good ambassador of the party, saying he has been running a participatory governance.

Made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, the statement reads in part: “As we mark Governor Adeleke’s remarkable first year in office, it is with immense pride that we recognize his towering achievements. 

“Despite inheriting challenges from the previous APC administration, Governor Adeleke’s PDP government has demonstrated unparalleled dedication to duty in his participatory governance.”

“Within a short span of a year, the PDP administration has showcased prospects of empathic governance, breaking barriers and setting a new standard for progress and uncompromising commitment to the standards set by the state’s founding fathers.”

“In terms of infrastructural development, the Governor’s commitment to completing abandoned road projects, not minding financial controversies surrounding them, as well as initiating new ones stamps out his determination to enhance the state’s economy through sound road network.

“The strides made in the health sector through initiatives like the Imole Surgical Outreach, providing free surgical operations to over 55, 000 Osun people, and the free enrollment of pensioners into the Osun Health Insurance scheme where the senior citizens could access Healthcare free of charge was another giant leap in Imole administration’s compassion and prioritization of citizens’ well-being.”

“Governor Adeleke’s commitment to turn around education sector where schools are being renovated for conducive learning environment within this short time frame and without much ado of noise speaks to his leadership instincts.”

“As we commemorate this milestone which is a very good foundation for a better Osun State now and beyond, I urge our people, the good people of Osun State to continue to support and collaborate with the administration in building a brighter and more prosperous future for Osun State. “ 

But the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) scored the Governor low, saying very little achievements have been made. 

This is just as the Labour Party demanded that the Governor should provide governance with direction, saying Adeleke has demonstrated low capacity in administering the state for his first one year.

The Chairman of IPAC, Mr Simon Adebayo, in a press statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER, said “Adeleke’s one-year anniversary as Governor of Osun State is not a cause for celebration. Despite the PDP leading the state government, very little progress has been made under their leadership. 

 “The government’s spending has been irresponsible, with little direct impact on the welfare of the people. There is a lack of transparency and accountability, with state funds being misused and a lack of clarity in their allocation. 

“Propaganda, falsehoods, and deception have become synonymous with this administration. In terms of key areas such as security and infrastructure, the government has performed poorly. The promised water project remains elusive for the majority of local governments, and the state’s roads have deteriorated to an almost impassable state.”

In an Interview with OSUN DEFENDER, the Chairman of Labour Party in the State, Comrade Bello Adebayo, said the party was not impressed with Adeleke’s style of governance, saying there is much to be done to convince the people that he is actually in charge of his administration. 

Bello said: “The labour party congratulates Governor Adeleke on his first anniversary. Objectively, we want to tell the Governor that we are not impressed with his style of governance. The Governor has much to do to convince the people that he is actually in charge of his administration. 

“The Governor needs to do more in following due process on every issue; he needs to show that he understands governance and not just following the dictate of somebody hook line and sinker. The Governor should provide direction for his administration. We want Governance with a direction.”