On Tuesday, the People’s Democratic Party in Osun State and the All Progressives Congress exchanged insults over Ademola Adeleke, the state governor, visiting former governor Bisi Akande at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The two men met behind closed doors for around two hours to discuss crises pertaining to the management of local government units in the state of Ibadan.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, in response to the meeting, the APC chastised Adeleke for traveling to Akande after party members were killed in the chaos that ensued after the state’s local government officials elected in the October 15, 2022, election returned to office.
Olabisi chided Adeleke for running to Akande. “Apparently begging the distinguished democrat for a soft landing on the prevailing political logjam on the reinstated council chairmen and councillors in the state.”
The statement further read, “It was strange that Governor Adeleke and his cohorts could find a way to Pa Akande’s residence after the Peoples Democratic Party’s thugs, acting on the governor’s body language, had killed one of the reinstated local government council chairmen of Chief Akande’s party, Hon Remi Abass, in Ikire and other members of the opposition party in the other parts of the state a few days ago.
“We want to impress it on Governor Adeleke and his co-travellers that Pa Akande is a democrat and no amount of under-the-table arrangement would make the former governor of the state work against the interest of his party. Does Governor Adeleke want Pa Akande to praise him for being instrumental in the killing of the chieftain and members of his party?
“We want to believe that there are knowledgeable political lieutenants of Governor Adeleke who should guide him aright that the proper place for him to go if at all he has any case for redress after the Akure verdict of 10th of February, 2025, is the Supreme Court.”
Adeleke was instructed by the APC to collaborate with the council chairmen and council members who had been reinstated in order to guarantee that the benefits of democracy were felt throughout the entire state.
In response to the development, however, the Osun PDP praised Adeleke for visiting Akande to begin his statewide discussions.
The PDP, in a statement signed by its Osun State chairman, Sunday Bisi, described Adeleke’s visit to Akande as a sign of ‘statesmanship and a demonstration of leadership acumen’.
Bisi further said, “Note with disdain the anger of the Osun APC over Governor Adeleke’s visit to Chief Akande. We are not surprised by the vituperations of the vampire-driven elements within the Osun APC, who are bitter that their plot to destabilize Osun State has failed.
“Governor Adeleke lost six of his party members to the cold hands of death, killed by bullets from APC thugs. Yet, as a leader with a deep sense of responsibility, he has launched consultations with state elders across party lines to rebuild peace and restore the rule of law.
“Omo onilu ki fe kotu,” a Yoruba proverb, aptly describes Governor Adeleke’s actions. Only a bastard would rejoice in the recent killings perpetrated by elements within the APC. As our Governor and our party are made up of responsible men and women of this great state, we will not support setting it ablaze to satisfy the grievances of sore losers who were defeated in a free and fair election”.
According to the chairman of the Osun PDP, Adeleke’s goal prior to the crisis involving the state’s council control was to enlist goodwill men and women to help save Osun from more strife.
“Genuine democrats abide by the rule of law, and that is precisely what Governor Adeleke is advocating. The governor and his party are embracing peace not out of weakness but as a demonstration of wisdom and political strength, reinforced by the massive goodwill we enjoy from the people. The people stand firmly with us, and we must protect them from political bandits and marauders who fear free and fair elections.
“Regarding the illegal occupation of local government secretariats, the party and its government are committed to using legal means to restore legitimately elected officials. We will not act like arsonists or pseudo-dictators who have lost all understanding of democracy,” he further said.
He encouraged the governor to carry on his consultations and praised him for his initiative.
