Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has come under fire from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following his visit to former governor and APC national leader, Chief Bisi Akande, amid the ongoing controversy over local government leadership in the state.
Adeleke, who visited Akande on Tuesday at his Ibadan residence, used the opportunity to brief the elder statesman about the current political developments in Osun, particularly the legal tussle surrounding the reinstatement of local government chairmen and councillors.
The visit was part of the Governor’s statewide stakeholder briefing initiative.
The Governor is scheduled to visit and update key leaders of thought on the development in a special briefing session with the state Council of Traditional Rulers on Thursday.
Adeleke, accompanied by top state officials, also discussed pressing state and national issues with the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On the local government issue, the Governor narrated the position of the state government over recent legal controversies and restated his commitment to rule of law for the resolution of the issues.
According to the Governor, there is need for all stakeholders to avoid resorting to self-help to avoid further loss of lives and properties, repeating his earlier calls on parties to return to court for ventilation of their viewpoints.
On national politics, the Governor appreciated the consensus building roles of Chief Akande in stabilization of the national leadership, declaring that Osun state is proud of the elder statesman.
The Governor further conveyed the support of the Osun state government for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, informing the elder statesman that the state government enjoys warm partnership with the Federal Government across all sectors.
“Our father, we are here to pay homage to you as my predecessor and as an elder statesman. I am also going round to brief our leaders on recent developments in our dear state.
“Your relationship with the Adeleke family dates back to my late Dad. I choose to start the consultation with this visit,” the Governor noted.
Responding, Chief Akande commended the Governor for the visit, describing the development as a welcome one despite differences in political affiliations.
Chief Akande said he had listened to the presentations from the delegations even as he urged continued upholding of peace and rule of law for the collective benefits of the state.
The former Governor said bloodshed in the name of politics is unacceptable, calling on all parties to submit to the rule of law and avoid self help.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke over his visit to Chief Bisi Akande, accusing him of seeking a political resolution to the ongoing crisis over the reinstatement of local government chairmen and councillors in the state.
In a statement issued by the APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party described the governor’s visit to the elder statesman as an attempt to secure a “soft landing” on the contentious issue. The APC questioned the rationale behind Adeleke’s meeting with Akande, particularly in light of recent violent clashes in the state.
The party alleged that thugs affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), acting on what it described as the governor’s “body language,” were responsible for the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, one of the reinstated council chairmen, in Ikire, as well as other opposition members in different parts of the state.
“We want to make it clear to Governor Adeleke and his associates that Pa Akande is a democrat. No amount of behind-the-scenes negotiation will compel the former governor to act against the interest of his party,” the statement read.
The APC further questioned whether Adeleke expected Akande to endorse his administration after what it claimed were politically motivated attacks on opposition figures. It advised the governor to seek legal redress through the Supreme Court following the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure on 10 February 2025, which went against his administration’s position.
“If the governor believes he has a strong case, why is he reluctant to approach the Supreme Court? Instead, he is attempting to use backdoor tactics to manipulate the situation,” the statement continued.
The APC also accused Adeleke of political desperation, claiming his visit to Akande demonstrated that his administration had “lost the game irredeemably.” The party likened the governor’s actions to a robber pleading with the owner of stolen property to let him keep it, insisting such an outcome was impossible.
The statement concluded with a call for the governor to work with the reinstated council officials to ensure the smooth administration of local government and the equitable distribution of democratic dividends across the state.
