Osun LG Crisis: Tinubu Is Not God – Salam
The lawmaker representing Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his role in the ongoing local government tussle in Osun State.
Salam was reacting to a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, refuting the claim by the Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Governor Ademola Adeleke attacked Tinubu while delivering his speech at the just concluded South West Summit in Akure.
The Governor lamented that Tinubu’s administration has not been fair to his state despite the existing collaboration between the state and the Federal Government.
He specifically alleged that the Federal Government had been withholding Local Government funds belonging to Osun State despite a subsisting court order.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi, urged the Federal Government to release the state’s local government funds in the spirit of justice and fairness.
He said, “A troubling dimension was introduced earlier this year when the rule of law was replaced with the rule of the thumb. The issue here relates to the handling of state security and local government matters. It is trite in every democratic order that the rule of law within the ambit of the constitution is the regulatory framework for wielding state power.
“In the case of Osun, federal power is being applied outside the regulation of the constitution, as the public has known since the beginning of this year. The politicisation of federal power poses serious threats to peaceful and productive intergovernmental relations.
“It would interest the audience to know that in Osun State, some security agencies openly protect and defend ruling party operatives, even when they act contrary to the law and the constitution. In Osun today, federal party officials boast of powers to deploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials. On many occasions, officials of the federal ruling party have openly declared their readiness to hijack the state, whether the people voted for them or not — and, worse still, they enjoy security cover while making such provocative declarations.
“As if that is not enough, Osun’s local government funds were seized without any court order earlier this year. Duly elected local government officials were not allowed to assume office, while those sacked by a subsisting court order were forced on the local government secretariats by federal power and security apparatus. All these facts are in the public domain.”
However, Salam while reacting to the PDP’s statement on a WhatsApp platform, OSUN MEDIA ENGAGEMENT last Friday wrote: “Well, Tinubu isn’t a kind of God that should not be criticised for taking an unconstitutional step!!!. We better stop all these unnecessary deodorising of evil.
“What we should know is that even if we cut all our heads and give them as sacrifice, it will not stop them from trying to muzzle us. It is we who should stand up and do our massive mobilisation of the Public as well as correct political strategies to defeat them. With God on our side, we will overcome.”
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
