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Tag: ADELEKE

  • Adeleke, Osun PDP leaders endorse Tinubu’s re-election 

    Adeleke, Osun PDP leaders endorse Tinubu’s re-election 

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state yesterday endorsed the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    The endorsement came after a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Oke-Fia, Osogbo.

    Also at the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that members should stay in the PDP after moves to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) have failed. 

     Adeleke was believed to have concluded plans to dump the PDP some weeks ago after consulting with the leadership of the party, and members agreed to follow him to any party of his choice.

    A communique issued at the end of the meeting and endorsed by Adeleke said Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Egbedun, PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and 23 other leaders endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office.

    Read Also: ‘Tinubu is an ardent supporter of media, committed to press freedom’ – Idris

    They said following extensive consultations, the Leadership Caucus of Osun PDP resolved that all politics is local, and as such, the feelings and aspirations of voters and party members are critical to decisions on party affiliations.

    They added: “The majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, which did not originate from the governor in the first instance. Some APC leaders, based on entrenched interests, have demonstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Adeleke. Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names.

    “That the majority of PDP members in Osun State are not happy about the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to APC, but only reluctantly agreed to follow him (Adeleke) to wherever he goes to show their love, support, and loyalty to his leadership.”

    They stressed that the governor, the state government, and the PDP as a political party remain very popular and acceptable above all other political parties in Osun State.

    “The PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.”

    “That PDP in Osun State reaffirms its adoption and endorsement of  Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election in the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the PDP.

    “That  Governor Ademola Adeleke and all members of the PDP in Osun State should remain in the PDP. The leadership of the PDP in Osun State is directed to disseminate the resolution to all structures of the party in the state.

    “That the state governor is enjoined to forge ahead with governance and implementation of the administration’s Five Point Agenda.”

  • JUST IN: Another Osun Fed lawmaker dumps Adeleke, PDP

    JUST IN: Another Osun Fed lawmaker dumps Adeleke, PDP

    Member representing Ife Federal Constituency of Osun Taofeek Ajilesoro has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)

    The Nation recalled that Ajilesoro was one of the party leaders who agreed to follow Governor Ademola Adeleke to any party.

    But Adeleke on Tuesday said his defection plan into the All Progressives Congress(APC) was frustrated, urging supporters to stay in the PDP.

    However, Ajilesoro dumped the party on Tuesday night notifying PDP party leaders in a letter dated July 22nd 2025 of Ilare Ward II, Ife Central Local Government, Osun State of his resignation from the party.

    Read Also: Man rescued from 80-foot well in Lagos

    The letter, which was copied National Assembly, PDP National Working Committee and others reads: ”Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party
    (PDP), effective immediately.

    “This decision, though difficult, has become necessary due to the persistent internal conflicts, deep-seated divisions, and the pervasive culture of legal disputes that have unfortunately come to characterise the party.”

    A source hinted another Federal lawmaker may dump PDP on Wednesday.

  • Adeleke won’t defect to APC – Osun PDP caucus

    Adeleke won’t defect to APC – Osun PDP caucus

    The Osun caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Gov. Ademola Adeleke will contest the Aug. 8, 2026 governorship election on the platform of the party.

    The PDP leadership emphasised that the governor would not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the PDP caucus meeting held at the Government House on Monday in Osogbo.

    The communique was made available to journalists by the spokesperson to the governor, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Tuesday.

    The PDP leaders stated that majority of the APC members in Osun were opposed to the idea of Adeleke defecting to the APC, “which did not originate from the governor in the first instance.”

    The communique also alleged that some APC leaders, “based on entrenched interests”, have demonstrated “hostility and resentment” towards the governor.

    The caucus said that the majority of PDP members in the state were not happy with the idea of the governor joining APC, but only reluctantly agreed to follow him to wherever he goes to show their love, support, and loyalty to his leadership.

    The PDP leaders said that the party recognised the fact that Osun is the ancestral home of President Bola Tinubu, “which makes him the son of the State.”

    The PDP caucus, however, adopted and endorsed the President for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Adeleke, Osun PDP endorse Tinubu for 2027

    The leaders of the party also endorsed Adeleke’s re-election bid on the platform of the PDP, directing all members in the state to remain in the party.

    According to the caucus, the state government and the PDP, as a political party, remain very popular and acceptable above all other political parties in the state.

    The PDP leaders urged the governor to forge ahead with governance and implementation of his administration’s five-point agenda.

    The caucus also directed members to disseminate the resolution to all structures of the party in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was signed by Adeleke, his deputy, Kola Adewumi, a former governor in the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, among others.

    (NAN)

  • Osun 2026: Why voters should reject Adeleke, PDP, by NIWA boss

    Osun 2026: Why voters should reject Adeleke, PDP, by NIWA boss

    • ‘People will not regret returning APC to power’

    The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has urged Osun State residents not to return Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or Governor Ademola Adeleke to power in the August 7, 2026 governorship election.

    He berated the PDP-led administration for allegedly mismanaging N1trillion of the federal allocation accruing to the state in the last 30 months.

    Oyebamiji, a leading governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday during his continued state-wide consultation held at Ife-South and Ife-North local governments, said Osun State had been receiving over 300 per cent increased allocation, compared to what was received during the tenure of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, yet there was no corresponding development in the state.

    A chieftain of the APC, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said the electorate would not regret returning the party to power in the August 8, 2026, governorship election.

    He said this during a consultation visit by one of the party’s aspirants, Oyebamiji, to Obokun Local Government.

    He said the party is prepared to meet the expectations of the electorate based on the needs assessment of the previous administration, as documented by the civic engagement agency.

    Oyintiloye, who served as a Special Adviser to former Governor Oyetola, in the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, led the “Osun Civic Engagement” the agency that was established by the former governor to bridge the gap between the people and government, especially in the area of policy formulation.

    He said that this was to assist the government in responding quickly to people’s needs.

    Speaking further at the event attended by many bigwigs of the party in Obokun Local Government and beyond yesterday, he urged the electorate to support the party during the election.

    “The blueprint to hit the ground running is already documented towards the expiration of the Oyetola’s administration and our incoming governor will definitely have a solid start with that document and his other initiatives that are already being fine-tuned”, he said.

    He said the affairs of the state had been run aground under the current government, as manifested in the poor funding of education, health, infrastructure and key sectors in the state.

    Read Also: Adeleke blames lack of foreign investment in Nigeira on poor electoral process

    He said: ‘’Today, Osun is earning more than 300 per cent of what it used to get and everyone can attest that what is on ground is not commensurate with the massive earning. Osun has received close to N1trillion in the last 30 months of Governor Adeleke, yet the state has not been able to recruit teachers and health workers to improve the well-being of the citizens.”

    The NIWA boss implored members of the APC to mobilise people for the Continuous Voter Registration and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as soon as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins registration and PVC distribution.

    APC leaders including former member, Osun State House of Assembly, Rufus Ajibodu, ex-Commissioner for Education, Folorunso Bamisayemi and Chairman of APC Local Government Chairmen, Elder Rufus Awotidoye, declared support for Oyebamiji.

    Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, an ex-lawmaker, during the consultation by Oyebamiji at the weekend, held in Obokun, said the electorate in Osun State would not regret returning APC to power in 2026.

    He said the party was prepared to meet the expectations of the electorate.

  • 2027 poll: What’s Adeleke up to?

    2027 poll: What’s Adeleke up to?

    • By Jamiu Olawumi

    It’s not in doubt that the political drum of war is being fiercely beaten in the Southwest for various and too obvious reasons. The hotbed is however in Osun State where the anticlimax of defection and carpet crossing is eating fast into the fabrics of the friction.

    If I may say, the patriotic posture of the Southwest supporting the 2027 game plan is already hijacked by the very elements who stood on Asiwaju’s way to give the state to Atiku Abubakar of People Democratic Party in the 2023 polls thus becoming a dent to PBAT potency in the Southwest outside Lagos.

    In the minds of discerning politicians it has become too obvious that Mr President could easily become a hostage of his political dexterity should he gloss over the tangents and give himself some blood in the nose.

    Osun State today is on the precipice to confusion as the silence is getting too deafening. It might be loud enough but feigning peace and easily manipulated could be fatally dangerous for the APC victory.

    To an average politician and the dog handlers NOTHING IS TOO SPECIAL about politicians decamping from on party to another. In fact the instant references are the Akwa Ibom and Delta states examples. It must the stated that it is about human situations that lack fixation. Cultural differences, dramatis personae and demanding issues that has redefined characters in the power struggle. Perhaps because of dialectical composition of the people making up the state ,Osun state is pot of salad and for quite a long time has its components not melting together. The Ifes, Ijeshas, the Oyos, the Ibolos and the Igbominas are mutually sensitive in political gerrymandering.

    In the last three years or thereabouts, the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke has inflicted on the people much hatred and public funds mismanagement to the extent that many of the people are seen as second class and oppressed by the opulent regime whose style has made the Governor to be representative of the currency controller in the person of his elder brother and sister who are the de facto government of Osun State. Osun State people have never been this DIVIDED.

    Read Also: Tinubu urges unity, pays tribute to late Awujale of Ijebuland

    We couldn’t be clever by half should we posit that more than 45% of Osun State’s resources are controlled by the Adeleke family. Depotism  and favoritism rule higher here, and pervaded the public and civil service where Ede men and women are rated first class and the others follow. The hatred and nepotism have pitched the people against these few individuals and have attracted hatred to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. Hence the respected and iconic political figures have left the party in droves. The former National Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Hon Oluwole Oke of the National Assembly, Prince Dotun Babayemi, My Kayode Oduoye, two former SSGs Kazeem Adio  and Fatai Akinbade, Insurance magnate Dr Akin Ogunbiyi ,Peter Babalola to mention a few have left the party. It’s important to underscore the pains of mourning inflicted on the state frequent murders during electioneering and after the blood stained Adeleke and PDP REGIME in the State.

    The February 2025 political assassination of the Chairman of Irewole local government,Remi Abass and some councilors are very fresh. All these drift into the abyss make it difficult for Governor Ademola Adeleke to talk to APC leadership in the State to enjoy acceptable terms but using the 2027 Asiwaju agenda to court people without discerning mind and prerequisite information about the excruciating pain the real supporters of Asiwaju are passing through. Osun State people are of the opinion that Asiwaju might become worse casualty if the horse trading is poorly handled.

    A slip into miscalculation might embolden the coalition of ADC and former Governor Rauf Aregbesola ;a vulture waiting patiently for the carcasses of the consequences.

    If the Adeleke’s are patriotic enough and loving Asiwaju so passionately, let them decamp into APC after the August 8 2026 Osun election.

    Asiwaju has through the instrumentality of the judiciary decimated the inept Adeleke REGIME and allowing a defector whose hand is stained with innocent bloods shed in 2025 because of the same purposes is a potential implosion that could consume the cherished APC in the Osun state .

    It’s important to caution that meddlesomeness of Governors Dapo Abiodun of Osun state who has abandoned the Ogun State civil servants by dancing owambe withe state resources while salaries and allowances are not paid as at when due and Imo State Governor Hope Nsodinma who is applying cultural bigotry the Governor Ademola Adeleke has an Igbo mother thus using the instrument of being the Progressive Governors’ Forum to market the reigning despot to Asiwaju that such could be counterproductive.

    A stitch in time.

    • Olawumi wrote from Osogbo, the Osun state capital

  • Osun 2026: Why Osun should reject Adeleke, PDP, by NIWA boss

    Osun 2026: Why Osun should reject Adeleke, PDP, by NIWA boss

    • …electorate will not regret returning APC to power — Osun ex-lawmaker 
    • …urges APC loyalists to mobilise for PVCs collection, registration 

    The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and leading Osun State governorship aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has called on residents of the state to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Ademola Adeleke in the upcoming August 7, 2026, governorship election.

    Oyebamiji accused the current PDP-led administration of mismanaging nearly N1 trillion in federal allocations received over the last 30 months. 

    He made the remarks on Sunday during his ongoing state-wide consultations in Ife-South and Ife-North local government areas.

    According to him, Osun State has received over 300% more in federal allocation compared to what was received during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, yet there has been no visible development to match the revenue increase.

    “Today, Osun is earning more than 300 percent of what it used to get, but what is on the ground does not reflect the massive earnings. In the last 30 months, nearly N1 trillion has come into the state, yet the government cannot recruit teachers or health workers,” Oyebamiji said.

    Read Also: Adeleke sad over council crisis, says commissioner

    He further criticized the current administration for what he described as poor funding in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, warning that the state’s affairs have been run aground.

    Oyebamiji urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mobilize for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and ensure the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as soon as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins the process.

    Several APC leaders, including former House of Assembly member Hon. Rufus Ademola Ajibodu, ex-Commissioner for Education Hon. Folorunso Bamisayemi, and APC local government chairmen led by Elder Rufus Awotidoye, declared their full support for Oyebamiji’s governorship bid.

    Similarly, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, expressed confidence during a separate consultation event in Obokun on Saturday, saying Osun residents will not regret returning APC to power on August 8, 2026. 

    He noted that the party is prepared to deliver on citizens’ expectations using the needs assessment from the previous administration’s civic engagement efforts.

  • Adeleke blames lack of foreign investment in Nigeira on poor electoral process

    Adeleke blames lack of foreign investment in Nigeira on poor electoral process

    • …says police, security operatives, youths are undermining electoral process

    Dr. Deji Adeleke, elder brother of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University, has blamed Nigeria’s poor electoral system and widespread corruption for the lack of foreign investment and the rising rate of youth unemployment in the country.

    Speaking on Sunday at the university’s 11th undergraduate and 7th postgraduate convocation ceremony held at the institution’s stadium in Ede, Osun State, the business magnate decried the role of security agencies, election officials, and other stakeholders in manipulating election outcomes, saying such acts damage Nigeria’s global reputation.

    “It is unfortunate that our political system does not allow our votes to count,” Dr. Adeleke stated. 

    “This failure in our democratic process discourages foreign investors from putting their money into our economy. The result is massive unemployment, especially among the youth.”

    He lamented that while Nigeria continues to lose credibility on the global stage due to electoral fraud, its brightest talents are thriving abroad in countries where democratic institutions are protected and functional.

    “The international community looks down on us because of our flawed systems, yet they gladly absorb our best brains to power their economies,” he added.

    Read Also: Much ado about Governor Adeleke’s rumoured decampment

    Dr. Adeleke called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral and political structures to restore confidence among citizens, attract investment, and create opportunities for the country’s teeming youth population.

    “However, I do not blame the politicians but the electorates who collect money before voting. The man you collect his money would recoup the fund after such election and you do not have the right to criticise his style. I pray that non of the graduates today would have to wait for five years to get job”

    He noted that “You see policemen and security agencies aiding and abetting election rigging, I shake my head and I said they don’t know the damage they are doing to their own children. 

    He urged stakeholders to raise and reject electoral fraud in all its entirety to make Nigeria become a country all citizens are all proud of which will make life easy for all. 

    In the address of Govenor Ademola Adeleke, who bagged Honorary Doctorate, said, “The power of voters to enthrone leaders through the ballot has been our greatest asset. We belong to the people and we acknowledge the love and the deep love from the street and every corner of Osun state.”

    He noted that his administration served the people diligently for almost three years by demonstrating that good governance is achievable with political will and deep interest of the people.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Solomon Adebola disclosed that 154 undergraduates bagged First class among 991 graduands while 145 bagged postgraduate degrees. 

  • Osun 2026: No cause for alarm over Adeleke’s rumoured defection to APC – Oyebamiji

    Osun 2026: No cause for alarm over Adeleke’s rumoured defection to APC – Oyebamiji

    • I won’t be distracted by petty politicking, says gov
    • Senators Fadeyi, Fadahunsi dump PDP

    The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, says there is  no cause for alarm over likely defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to All Progressives Congress(APC).

    Oyebamiji, a leading gubernatorial aspirant during his continuous consultation at Obokun and Oriade Local Government Areas of Ijesa-North Federal Constituency yesterday, noted that the leadership of the party is in control of the situation.

    Addressing his supporters, Oyebamiji reiterated the party’s commitment to return Osun to progressive government come 2026, assuring that nothing can destabilise the structure already built.

    He said, “though our leader, Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola is coming to tell you everything as regards the defection rumour of the current Governor, Ademola Adeleke, into our revered party – APC, he sent me to tell you that there is no cause for alarm. He asked me to let you know that there is nothing to fear about. Our leaders are in charge and no reason to panic. The leaders are in control. No one will reap the fruit of your labour.

    “As regards the councils’ imbroglio, our Minister is doing excellently well to ensure that justice prevails no matter whose ox is gored. Our councils are in the control of our elected chairmen and councillors and by the grace of God they will be in the control till we return to government come 2026”, he added.

    He pledged to build on the good legacies of the progressive governments, particularly the monumental strides made by the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Earlier, the former Secretary of the party during the administration of Chief Bisi Akande, Hon. Tunji Adesokun applauded Oyebamiji’s tremendous contributions to the growth, development and progress of the party thus far, describing him the “head that the cap fits.”

    Meanwhile, the state governor, Ademola Adeleke has described the actions of the opposition as petty politicking, vowing that he will not be swayed by desperate attempts to stop his rigorous service to the people.

    The governor made the remark while disclosing his intention to flag off the dualisation of Ila-Orangun township and second phase of dualisation of Osogbo/Ikirun/Ila-Odo Kwara State Boundary road.

    Speaking  through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke noted that “I remained undistracted by unsubstantiated statements on national television by some politicians, particularly a failed governorship candidate. The said politician and few others have said all sorts of things which are at variance with the reality and facts of our achievements in the infrastructure sector across Osun state.

    “These misrepresentations and misinformation have only strengthened my resolve to push ahead with the all-inclusive infrastructure upgrade and delivery of good governance in our dear state.”

    Rasheed noted that Adeleke flaunted several awards on infrastructure revolution, health sector excellence, new examination performance rating, digital economy innovation, agricultural mechanisation, sport sector reforms, business sector enhancement, water sector upgrade and artisanal cooperative empowerment.

    “The latest national table on states fiscal transparency for 2025 first quarter places Osun in number 5 position out of 36 states. Our administration is transparent, accountable, and compliant with due process requirements.

    “Our critics are worried by our extraordinary performance within less than three years, hence their resorts to name calling, blackmail and libelous allegations. We will not get distracted by petty politicking and desperate attempts to stop our rigorous service to the people.”

    Read Also: Presidency slams ADC over Buhari’s burial remarks

    “In continuation of our pact and promises to the people, our people of Ila Orangun, Ifelodun, and Odo Otin local governments will host me next week. I will be flagging off the dualisation of Ila Orangun township road as well as the second phase of Osogbo-Ikirun -Okuku highway dualisation. 

    “Myself and my team remain focused and undistracted. I commend Osun people for their support and unwavering commitment to good governance as represented by our government”, the governor told the visiting elders.”

    The governor’s hope of strengthening his support base ahead of the 2026 election suffered a setback yesterday as two senators from the state formally resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They are: Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi (Osun Central) and Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East).

    The development is contained in letters written to that effect and addressed to their PDP ward chairmen respectively.

    While Fadeyi’s letter, dated June 12th 2025 was addressed to the Chairman of PDP in Ward 3, Oke-Ejigbo Ila-Orangun, Osun State, that of Fadahunsi also dated June 12, 2025, was addressed to the Ward Chairman of PDP in Ward 4, Obokun Local Government Area, Osun State.

    According to Fadeyi, he resigned due to division in the party at the national level.

    Fadeyi’s letter reads in part: “I wish to formally notify you that I am resigning my Membership of the

    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.

    “Irreconcilable differences and irreparable division that have emerged and court cases and counter court cases in the last three years which have created faction in the party at the National level.

    “This was concluded after consultation and engagement with my political associates, family and friends.”

    Fadahunsi also stated similar reasons for his action.

    He said: “I wish to formally notify you that I am resigning my Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect, due to the irreparable, irreconcilable differences and protracted legal battles that have bedeviled the party at the National level after the 2023 general elections.

    “This was concluded after consultation and engagement with my political associates, family and friends.”

    Investigations revealed that the Senator representing Osun West, Olalere Oyewumi, would also dump the PDP any moment.

  • I’ll not be distracted by petty politicking —Adeleke tells residents

    I’ll not be distracted by petty politicking —Adeleke tells residents

    Amid resignation of two serving Osun senators from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Governor Ademola Adeleke has said he will not be distracted by petty politicking. 

    He also announced plans to flag off the dualisation of Ila-Orangun township and second phase of dualisation of Osogbo/Ikirun/Ila-Odo Kwara State Boundary road. 

    How spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed in a statement on Saturday noted that he will not be swayed by desperate attempts to stop his rigorous service to the people.According to him: “I remain undistracted by unsubstantiated statements on national television by some politicians particularly a failed governorship candidate. The said politician and few others have said all sorts of things which are at variance with the reality and facts of our achievements in the infrastructure sector across Osun state.

    “These misrepresentations and misinformation have only strengthened my resolve to push ahead with the all inclusive infrastructure upgrade and delivery of good governance in our dear state.”

    Rasheed noted that Adeleke flaunted several awards on infrastructure revolution, health sector excellence, new examination performance rating, digital economy innovation, agricultural mechanisation, sport sector reforms, business sector enhancement, water sector upgrade and artisanal cooperative empowerment. 

    Read Also: Atack on Buhari’s state burial insensitive, unacceptable, APC slams ADC

    “The latest national table on states fiscal transparency for 2025 first quarter places Osun in number 5 position out of 36 states. Our administration is transparent, accountable, and compliant with due process requirements. 

    “Our critics are worried by our extraordinary performance within less than three years, hence their resorts to name calling, blackmail and libelous allegations. We will not get distracted by petty politicking and desperate attempts to stop our rigorous service to the people.”

    “In continuation of our pact and promises to the people, our people of Ila Orangun, Ifelodun, and Odo Otin local governments will host me next week. I will be flagging off the dualisation of Ila Orangun township road as well as the second phase of Osogbo-Ikirun -Okuku highway dualisation.  

    “Myself and my team remain focussed and undistracted. I commend Osun people for their support and unwavering commitment to good governance as represented by our government  the Governor told the visiting elders.

  • Much ado about Governor Adeleke’s rumoured decampment

    Much ado about Governor Adeleke’s rumoured decampment

    The main thing about Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is that there will be questions about whatever decisions he makes or does not make. Of course, there has always been a sword of Damocles hanging over Adeleke’s head for a long time.

    The patriarch of the family and financier, Deji Adeleke, who is a very astute businessman, has to weigh his own personal options beyond the governorship incursion of a younger brother. For instance, will the older brother secure a sovereign guarantee to facilitate a consortium of international financiers in funding the $2 billion Omotosho Power Plant project? The Omotosho Power Plant is a significant driver of the Nigerian economy. It is capable of generating an additional 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

    As we know, Nigeria is a developing country, where economic decisions are inextricably linked to political actions. Moreover, there’s no significant ideological divide driving political decisions among the elite. So, does it really matter if politicians switch parties or, to be impolite, move from one Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to another one? In Osun’s context, the crucial question is whether Adeleke, if he decamps, can convincingly take over the All Progressives Congress, APC’s machinery there. That will be the key question!

    Surely certainly, taking over the structures of the Osun APC won’t be a cakewalk like it was in Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Osun is too fragmented and sophisticated to accommodate a smooth takeover, regardless of President Bola Tinubu’s influence. If Adeleke succeeds in decamping to the APC, a fierce battle for control of the party’s structure in Osun is likely, which would further erode the party’s already tenuous relevance. In light of this, the president needs to be cautious in his calculations.

    Read Also: LG crisis: Adeleke wept for 15 minutes in our meeting — Osun commissioner

    It must be noted that politics in this part of the world has become more about personal advantage and jockeying for power than people-centric leadership. In contrast to the properly-structured political parties with clear ideologies, like the Action Group (AG) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), post-1999 political parties in Nigeria lack ideological foundations, and this has made it easy for individuals to switch parties without consequence.

    This fluidity is distinct from the more ideologically-driven party switches seen in countries like the UK or US, where politicians might transition from the Conservative Party to Labour or from Republicans to Democrats. Nigeria’s lack of ideological anchor in its party politics contributes to its ongoing challenges. And that’s why we are where we are!

    Now that rumours and insinuations are getting closer to reality, it’d be better for everyone to prepare for eventualities.

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria