Osun APC, Adeleke fight dirty over FG’s fuel subsidy palliative
…Your approach to governance is irritating, lackadaisical — Osun APC to Adeleke:
….Subsidy Palliative is N2bn, infrastructure intervention is N7bn — Osun Govt refutes APC’s ‘fake news’
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governor of gross incompetence, administrative laxity and crass negligence which have denied the people of Osun the needed dividend of democracy from his eleven-month-old administration.
In a statement signed on Sunday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi on behalf of the Osun State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, stated that it is disheartening that Adeleke has kept on running the government of the state as an extension of the business empire of his family’s dynasty in Ede.
Lawal queried Adeleke why it has become an herculean task for him to hold state executive meetings as it is observed that his government had held only one state executive meeting since July when it was inaugurated after much heckling and pressure from the leading opposition party.
The state APC chairman wondered why Governor Adeleke appointed commissioners eight clear months after the inauguration of his government when he knew that he would be allergic to holding executive meetings and be running the affairs of the state like a sole administrator.
Lawal stated that the usual defence of the governor that he has been administering the state with his team comprising his Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service and his unelected and unappointed female sibling does not hold water as it is a standard tradition for all the levels of government to hold weekly executive meetings.
He declared that if the Federal Executive meetings could hold every week unhindered, as well as executive meetings of other states, “why is it a different ball game in Osun State under the administration of Governor Adeleke?”
In Lawal’s words: “When Governor Adeleke knew that he would be sidelining the state commissioners and special advisers by not involving them in the running of his government through the holding of quality executive engagements, why did he appoint them in the first instance?
“The record shows that the push-and-kick Governor Adeleke held his first prototype state Exco Meeting on August 30th, 2023 while the inauguration of the commissioners and special advisers was held on July 19th, 2023, after hues and cries from us.
“As I speak, Governor Adeleke has skipped the state Exco meetings six consecutive times: on September 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, October 4th and 11th while there is no assurance that it will hold this week.
“The fact remains that Governor Adeleke is not mentally and administratively prepared to make a difference in the governance of Osun State, reason citizens could no longer breathe on account of his lack of capacity.
“Is it not surprising that Adeleke is still thinking of what to do with the Federal Government N2 billion fuel subsidy removal palliative given to Osun State about three months ago?
“The N7 billion Osun State share from the fuel subsidy removal granted to the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is still assumed to be in the possession of Adeleke who has been running the affairs of the state in secrecy as if it is a branch or annex of his family business.
“The monies are not for keep. They are for the purpose of ameliorating the suffering of the people of the state during this period of fuel subsidy removal.
“Why is Governor Adeleke and his co-travellers this wicked that they gallivant around with public wealth while the people of Osun State languish in penury? Are they sadists that they enjoy people suffer untoward hardship when there is N9billion to be disbursed for their enjoyment?
“Adeleke shall be guilty of misappropriation of fund should he use the palliative money for another purpose other than what it is meant for.
“Adeleke should stop dancing around and do something reasonable with the people’s funds. We are tired of seeing Osun being in the news for the wrong reasons on account of Adeleke’s sheer incompetence, steeped wickedness and morbid lack of discretion and good initiative,” Lawal warned.
Reacting, the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed said that the State Government only received N2 Billion Naira from the Federal Government for subsidy palliatives while the N7 Billion Naira Federal refund to the state was specifically designated for infrastructure intervention.
He accused the All Progressive Congress (APC) for sponsored fake news against the present administration.
The office of the State Governor slammed what it called “deliberate falsehood and misinformation by APC’s operatives who are in disarray over the wonderful performance and transparency of Mr Governor at the Ipade Imole which was televised live and live streamed across new media platforms.
“At the Ipade Imole, Governor Adeleke told the people of the state that the N2 Billion naira released for subsidy palliatives is being disbursed for food palliatives, transport services and refurbishment of health centres. Procurement orders are already placed.
“On the N7 billion naira federal refund, the Governor explained in both Yoruba and English language that it was designated for infrastructure intervention and constitutes less than 20 percent of the total money Osun State Government is committing to infrastructure upgrade.
“Mr Governor further provided details of the proposed infrastructure projects to include dualisation of roads, building of overhead bridges, mass solar lightning of major roads, upgrades of hospitals, water intervention projects and Imole Housing estates, all across the nine federal constituencies. Due process and compliance with procurement laws are underway.
“This government is committed to transparency and accountability in the spirit of open government and Freedom of Information. Our people understand, appreciate and support Mr. Governor and the good intentions of his administration.
“At a time the Presidency is ashamed of the legacy and profile of the previous APC government in Osun state, the opposition is daily sinking into a sinkhole, getting practically paralyzed and strategically in disorder in the face of a serving Governor with over 90 percent performance approval rating.
“The people who are confused, disorganized and blinded by loss of power are the APC rank and file who daily sponsor fake news that further destroy the opposition party in public ratings. Governor Adeleke remains a deeply honest, accountable and responsive leader whose preoccupation is to deliver good governance and democratic dividends to the good people of Osun state.”
