Gov Adeleke will never disrespect Iwo people – Spokesperson

By Ismail Azeez

Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has clarified that the governor never described Iwo as a village, saying the comment was taken out of context by opposition elements.

Rasheed, in a statement on Saturday, said Governor Adeleke has deep respect for the people of Iwo and would not disrespect a community he holds in high esteem.

He tendered an unreserved apology to the Oluwo of Iwoland, the Oluwo-in-Council and community leaders of Iwo over what he described as a sarcastic remark that had been twisted and misrepresented.

According to him, “I write to affirm that Governor Adeleke has deep respect for Iwo people and he has not and will not disrespect a people he is so much dearly in love with. Mr Governor did not and will never call Iwo a village. His passion to upgrade Iwo to its rightful status as a senatorial headquarters is unrivalled.

“To our father, the highly revered Oluwo of Iwoland; the Oluwo in Council; the Iwo Board of Trustees, the Iwo Action Council, the Isokan Musulumi; the Iwo muslim and christian bodies; the Isese association and the Awos; the youth and students bodies; and Iwo sons and daughters at home and in the disapora, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke tenders unreserved apology for his sarcasm which opposition elements have twisted and misrepresented.

“Mr Governor did not call Iwo a village; Iwo is Mr Governor’s second home right from the days of his late brother, the first executive governor of Osun state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who was also a deep lover of Iwo people.

“The governor’s contention was that Iwo has not been granted its rightful place by previous administrations, a situation he is reversing. His Excellency also restated his determination to continue the infra expansion, not just for Iwo but for all corners of Osun state.

“As a son of the soil, I also profusely apologise to our Royal father and all Iwo sons and daughters. For those seeking political capital out of the sarcasm, I bet they pick a wrong point.

“The reality remains that Governor Adeleke has positively impacted Iwo more than any previous administration. The facts are open and incontestable. Iwo is moving forward rather than backward” he said.