Osun Deputy Gov, Adeleke’s Aides At Loggerheads Over Control Of Sports Ministry

• Adewusi Bows To Pressure, Hurriedly Approves Contingents DTP After Osun Defender Report

• As Osun Confirms Reduction In Athletes Allowance Despite Improved Allocation

The leadership battle between Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, who also serves as the commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Sports and Special Needs, and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sports Matters, Hon. Iyiola Babatunde, has continued to affect sports development in the state.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that many files relating to sports and staff of Osun State Sports Council have languished on the table of the deputy governor without approval for months due to grudges between the duo and the Special Adviser on Sports, Prince Kolawole Joseph.

According to findings by the medium started when the SSA went through the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye to get an estacode without the input of the deputy governor. Prince Adewusi was said not to have been pleased with the development.

A source within the Sports Council who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER accused the deputy governor of being a major problem to sports since he took over the ministry.

He added that Adewusi has always cited paucity of fund when issues of allowances and estacodes were taken to him for approval.

The source said: “The deputy governor has been our major problem in the Osun Sports Council. He has refused to take many of our files on his table to the governor for approval due to the crisis between him and the SSA. He is also fond of deducting our Duty Touring Allowance (DTA), claiming that there is no funds in the state.

“There is a budget for the sports ministry. We should not be suffering for anything due to the kind of governor we have. We know him to be a good man. We should not be suffering for anything. We are looking for ways to free ourselves from the man.

“There is an award we ought to have given to some of our athletes for a competition they won, the Sports Council has written the deputy governor but he is yet to take it to the governor for approval. He has been doing everything possible to sabotage the efforts of some of our top officials in the sports council.”

Adewusi had on Sunday, September 8 hurriedly approved the estacode for athletes representing Osun at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State after an OSUN DEFENDER report on the situation last Saturday.

“I wish to inform the house that through the intervention of His Excellency, Prince Kolawole Adegboyega Adewusi, the Commissioner for Sports, and Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon. Abiola Awoyeye, all the sports that qualified has been approved to travel to Asaba and participate in the National Youths Games.

“Also, they are working tirelessly to make sure that all contingents get their benefits before we leave for Asaba on Tuesday. We pray that God Almighty will crown their efforts so that we can have a successful outing.

“On behalf of the General manager and the entire management, I thank all the contingents for their understanding and support,” a release by the Director of Coaching and Training, Ademola Daini, on Sunday stated.

The Osun State Sports Council as well in a reaction to OSUN DEFENDER’s story also confirmed a significant reduction in the athletes’ allowances despite improvement in the state’s allocation.

Findings by the medium showed that Osun is among the ten states with over 50 per cent increase in federal allocation in 2024. It was also learnt that since the removal of fuel subsidy, allocation coming to the state has increased significantly.

The statement signed by the General Manager, Mr Rotimi Dunmoye revealed that the reduction is necessary given the state’s financial reality.

READ: Adeleke’s Deputy Accused Of Sabotaging Sports In Osun

“The reduction in allowances mentioned in the article was a necessary adjustment given the state’s financial realities. These adjustments were made to accommodate a larger number of athletes and officials participating in national competitions.

“It is important to note that the contingent representing Osun at the National Youth Games has increased in number compared to previous years. The government’s priority is to encourage as many athletes as possible to participate and showcase their talents on national platforms.

“Painfully, the officials are at the receiving end of the financial adjustments, but this was done to avoid dropping any athletes or officials from participation.

“While the state, like many others, faces financial challenges, it is critical to emphasize that Prince Kola Adewusi has never ignored files or failed to forward them to the Governor for approval.

“The Deputy Governor, alongside the Osun State Sports Council, has worked tirelessly to ensure that all processes are in place to facilitate the participation of Osun athletes in the upcoming National Youth Games. The allegation that files have been withheld is simply not accurate,” the statement reads partly.

Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered further that the council was compelled to write the statement as some of the issues addressed in it were said to be false.

It was also learnt that athletes participating in games like hockey, handball, volleyball are yet to get approval for payment of their allowances.

Additionally, sources claimed that the bill for the establishment of the Sports Commission as claimed in the release has been stalled as the file for its proposal is still pending on the deputy governor’s table.