A political spat has erupted in Osun State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of abandoning his official duties and leaving the state for over two weeks without notice or formally handing over power to his deputy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC described Adeleke’s unannounced absence as “abnormal” and raised concerns over a lack of transparency surrounding who has been running the state in his absence.
“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 for the past two weeks,” the statement read.
The party also questioned whether constitutional protocols had been followed. “Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy, who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?” it asked.
It added that Adeleke reportedly disappeared shortly after an alleged failed attempt to defect to the APC.
“The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state is: Where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long?” the APC noted.
In a swift rebuttal, Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, confirmed that the governor had travelled to the United States to attend the wedding of his nephew, internationally renowned music artist David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
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“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke,” Rasheed explained.
He dismissed the APC’s allegations as political mischief and extended an olive branch — in the form of an invitation to the wedding. “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,” Rasheed added.
Addressing concerns about governance during Adeleke’s absence, Rasheed assured that the deputy governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, was effectively overseeing state affairs. “The governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” he said.
He also emphasized that this trip was brief and not an official vacation. “Additionally, from November 2022 to date, the governor has not gone on official vacation. For this current trip, the governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions,” Rasheed said.
The exchange highlights ongoing political tension in Osun, with the governor’s opponents seizing on his absence, while his office seeks to downplay the criticism as unwarranted and politically motivated.
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