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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his accusations against Adeboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, claiming he is the mastermind behind the local government crisis in Osun State.
Adeleke maintained that the tenure of the APC chairmen, which he described as self‑awarded, expired in 2025 and cannot be extended under the law or Supreme Court precedents.
In response to a statement from Oyetola’s office, Adeleke criticised the former governor, asserting that he is the chief architect of the paralysis and hardship affecting the people of Osun.
He emphasised that it was a Federal High Court, not his administration, that removed the APC chairmen in 2022 — a judgment later validated by the Court of Appeal, which recognised the legitimacy of the newly elected chairmen and councillors from the PDP.
The governor pointed out that the APC chairmen were dismissed because their elections were conducted in violation of the Electoral Act, which mandates a year’s notice before local elections.
He questioned Oyetola’s motives in organising these elections shortly after losing his re‑election bid in 2022 and insisted that Oyetola should be accountable for the paralysis of local councils, a situation he said is acknowledged by the citizens of Osun.
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Adeleke slammed the APC for refusing to vacate office despite court rulings while accusing Oyetola of obstructing the release of local government allocations. He highlighted his administration’s commitment to regularly paying local workers’ salaries, questioning Oyetola’s preference for exacerbating the suffering of local workers by blocking funding.
The governor expressed disbelief at Oyetola’s denial of the local government’s current state, calling it an insult to traditional rulers whose salaries have gone unpaid and to local workers whose livelihoods depend on their earnings. He questioned the authority under which Oyetola and his allies are disbursing local government funds and determining salary payments.
Adeleke warned Oyetola and the court‑sacked chairmen that they would be held accountable for any mishandling of local government funds, stating, “Current mishandling of local funds will not go unpunished; this is daylight robbery of people’s money.”
He criticised the notion that being in court somehow justifies the continued tenure of the chairmen, stressing that it contradicts the constitution and Supreme Court rulings against tenure elongation.
As an advocate for local government autonomy, Adeleke accused Oyetola and the APC of undermining this principle by imposing unelected officials, violating court orders, and illegally extending tenures.
He concluded by urging Oyetola to stop dragging President Bola Tinubu into the situation, calling on him to cease his control over Osun local government secretariats, remove tenure‑less chairmen from office, discontinue alleged illegal directives to law enforcement, and allow the people of Osun to “breathe freely.”
