Tag: ADELEKE

Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke has confirmed that he travelled to attend the wedding of his nephew, afrobeat star, David Adedeji(Davido) in United States of America(USA).

He was reacting to concerns by the All Progressives Congress(APC) over his absence from.the State for two weeks. 

APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, in a statement held that Adeleke disappeared from the state after his plan to defect failed..

Olabisi stated that Adeleke’s unexplained absence is troubling and unacceptable for a sitting Governor, insisting that the people of Osun deserve to know the whereabouts of their chief executive.

The APC spokesman further recalled a similar incident early in Adeleke’s administration, during which the Governor was absent for an extended period. 

“At that time, conflicting reports emerged, some claimed he was in the United States, others said the United Kingdom, before it was later revealed that he had travelled to Thailand for medical treatment,” Olabisi said.

He criticised Adeleke’s style of leadership, saying, “It is absolutely wrong and disrespectful for the governor to sneak out of the Government House without informing the people. This lack of transparency raises serious questions about accountability and governance in Osun State.

Read Also: Don’t blame Tinubu for north’s woes, Shehu Sani tells critics

“The governor should be aware that governing a state is a serious business which requires absolute devotion of time, energy and resources in order to give qualitative governance to the people of the state. Osun State is not a limited liability company where the owner is at liberty to leave the company at will without the knowledge of the people.”

But Adeleke through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed confirms that he left Nigeria for Davido’s wedding. 

He said: “Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon , his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“APC is invited to the wedding of David Adeleke (Davido) in the United States which Governor Ademola Adeleke is attending for a few days.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family. Those unable to attend may join virtually.”

He noted that from the November 2022 till date, the Governor has not gone on official vacation, stating he chose to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

…says people must know Adeleke’s whereabouts 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has expressed concern over the prolonged absence of Governor Ademola Adeleke from the state, alleging that he has been missing for more than two weeks without explanation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, the APC claimed that the governor vanished shortly after an alleged failed attempt to defect to the party.

Olabisi stated that Adeleke’s unexplained absence is troubling and unacceptable for a sitting governor, insisting that the people of Osun deserve to know the whereabouts of their chief executive.

“It is not normal for a state governor to abandon his duties and disappear without any official communication to the citizens,” he said.

Read Also: Adeleke denies spending N3.1b on foreign trip, N115m on fumigation in six months

The APC spokesman further recalled a similar incident early in Adeleke’s administration, during which the governor was absent for an extended period. “At that time, conflicting reports emerged, some claimed he was in the United States, others said the United Kingdom, before it was later revealed that he had travelled to Thailand for medical treatment,” Olabisi said.

He criticized Adeleke’s style of leadership, saying, “It is absolutely wrong and disrespectful for the governor to sneak out of the Government House without informing the people. This lack of transparency raises serious questions about accountability and governance in Osun State.”

“The governor should be aware that governing a state is a serious business which requires absolute devotion of time, energy and resources in order to give qualitative governance to the people of the state. Osun State is not a limited liability company where the owner is at liberty to leave the company at will without the knowledge of the people.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party, need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago”

He concluded that Governor Adeleke’s handlers should speak up and disclose to the people of the state the whereabouts of their governor. 

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed reports alleging that his administration spent N3.1 billion on international travels between January and June 2025.

According to The Nation, the report in question cited a budget performance review, claiming that N2.854 billion was spent on “international travels and transport (others),” while another N256 million went into “international travels and transport (training).”

Reacting in a statement on Monday, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the figures being circulated were misleading and misrepresented the actual allocation for the year.

He clarified that the stated amount reflects the near full-year training allocation for over 100 state government agencies, and not personal expenses incurred by the governor.

“Governor Adeleke mostly covers his travel expenses using the family’s private jet, as seen in his current visit to the United States,” Rasheed noted.

He added that many agencies front-loaded their training activities in the first half of the year in anticipation of pre-2026 political events expected in the latter part of the year.

Rasheed further alleged that the report was a politically motivated attempt by the opposition to misinform the public, describing it as both “mischievous and misleading.”

“The fact that the state government actually posted those details on her website confirms that there is no foul play or misapplication of state funds,” he clarified.

“The amount quoted for international travels and trainings for the first two quarters of 2025 is the expenditure of the entire officials of the state government including, commissioners, agency heads, management staff of state owned tertiary institutions, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of over 100 parastatals which covers their transportation, accommodation, feeding etc.

Read Also: NANS slams Adeleke for deploying 1,750 ‘untrained’ youths as teachers

“The Governor is only the head of the government; there are several other sectorial heads and career officers whose expenditures on travels and training make up the state government expenditure. So it is incorrect to say Governor Adeleke spent so much on traveling.”

He highlighted key international events attended by officials of the Osun State Government in the first half of year 2025 like Commonwealth Business Investment Conference where Governor Adeleke led his team to meet potential partners in the creative sector and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ESG Management Services UK Ltd.

“On Cleaning & Fumigation Services, and refreshments, Mr. Rasheed said “the expenditure represents the amount spent by the state to maintain a clean environment across the state secretariat, agency offices, the government house, several state institutions, several health facilities, several state agencies and parastatals, public schools etc.”

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday berated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for deploying 1,750 untrained youths as teachers.

The Nation recalls that Adeleke approved deployment of 1,750 Imole Youth Corps to schools due to financial constraints that delay planned mass teachers’ recruitment to primary and secondary schools across the state.

NANS Southwest (Zone D) through its Secretary General, Comrade Oluwole Aboke, in a statement expressed disappointment for converting a temporary civic engagement initiative into teachers’ recruitment.

He said the decision undermined the integrity of teaching profession.

Read Also: Presidency dismisses Peter Obi’s one-term pledge as ‘a lie’

Aboke added: “Teaching profession requires passion, proper training, certification and ongoing professional development, none of which were the original prerequisites for Imole Youth Corps.

“The failed teachers’ recruitment exercise remains a painful betrayal. Thousands of qualified young graduates paid to apply for the previously advertised Osun teachers’ recruitment, went through screening processes, and waited in high hopes, only to be ignored and replaced with a politically-motivated scheme.”

He admonished that “government must prioritise proper recruitment, not political redeployment. Education cannot and should not be compromised.”

NANS demanded that the Adeleke-led administration should immediately begin transparent recruitment of qualified and certified teachers through a merit-based process, not patronage or political convenience.

“We will not stand idle. We call on education stakeholders, parents, professional education bodies and civil society groups to join us in rejecting any shortcuts that undermine the value of education. Osun students will not be guinea pigs in the name of cost-saving measures.”

A recent remark by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reignited speculation about a possible defection of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although Adeleke had earlier resolved to remain in the PDP following strong opposition from Osun APC stakeholders, fresh political signals suggest that the defection plan may still be in play.

President Tinubu, while speaking at the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, stated that the party would continue expanding its ranks by welcoming more opposition governors, lawmakers, and coalition members ahead of its national convention scheduled for December 2025.

Encouraging party leaders to open the doors to new members and integrate them fully, Tinubu’s comment has fueled talk of ongoing political realignments, especially in Osun state.

READ ALSO: FG applauds Owolabi Salis as first Nigerian to travel to space and return

In a Facebook post, Hon. Oluwole Oke, who represents Obokun and Ori-Ade Federal Constituency, claimed Adeleke had not abandoned his defection plans. He warned APC gubernatorial aspirants to stay alert, as Adeleke may yet join the party.

“From the grapevine, His Excellency Sen. Ademola Adeleke has not abandoned the defection to APC project. He is back to the drawing table. For APC gubernatorial aspirants, it’s not yet uhuru. Don’t let your guard down,” Oke posted.

He added, “APC is very attractive. The governor may actually join, though not on his own terms but on those of APC Osun leaders. I was told he admitted during a recent PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo that winning the 2026 governorship election under the PDP platform may be difficult.”

Offering an alternative view, Oke remarked, “If I were him, I would stay in PDP or join a lesser-known party like APP to demonstrate my popularity. Winning is not compulsory — after all, he has already been governor.”

However, former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has cautioned Adeleke against switching parties, warning that such a move could cost him his political future.

Speaking on a national television programme, Oyinlola said, “The only reason my governor has not defected is because he is in a dilemma.

The APC has not fared well with the people of Osun. If he crosses over now, it would ruin his political career. He knows the people won’t go along with that. There’s pressure on him, but he’s aware of the risks.”

Attempts to reach Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, for comments were unsuccessful as calls were not answered and messages were not returned as of the time of filing this report.

…We won’t join issue with you—PDP tells APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has confirmed rejecting Governor Ademola Adeleke’s alleged move to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing his desperation for power and labelling him a political liability.

The Nation recalls that Governor Adeleke, facing internal party concerns and political uncertainty ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election, attempted to defect to the APC but was turned down by key stakeholders in the party.

In a statement on Wednesday, APC state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, said the governor was rejected because he posed a threat to the party’s integrity.

“Adeleke was quickly identified as a Trojan horse, a big baggage, and a liability that would hurt the integrity of the APC,” Lawal said. “It was the fear of an impending 2026 election defeat that drove him to desperately seek asylum in our party.”

READ ALSO: Troops foil terrorist attacks, neutralise dozens in Zamfara-Niger axis

He added that many of Adeleke’s supporters have already decamped to the APC, leaving the governor vulnerable and politically exposed ahead of the next election.

Lawal also criticised Adeleke’s leadership style, accusing him of prioritising luxury over public welfare. He cited increased tuition fees in state institutions, the alleged mismanagement of N1 trillion in 30 months, and the purchase of luxury cars worth N13 billion for aides, without investing in public transport or job creation.

“Adeleke is running from the wrath of the Osun electorate,” Lawal claimed, adding that the governor was seeking refuge in the APC to escape accountability at the polls in 2026.

In response, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi dismissed the APC’s claims, stating that the party would not be drawn into unnecessary political drama. He emphasised that the PDP remains focused on governance and preparing for the 2026 elections.

“We won’t join issues with the opposition,” Bisi said. “We are confident that Osun people will stand by their votes in 2026. Governor Adeleke’s performance speaks for itself.”

He also assured that the PDP had no plans to rig the 2026 election, asserting that both the governor and the party would win decisively.