Appointment: Governor Adeleke is unfair to Orolu

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s list of 25 nominees for cabinet positions in Osun State is UNFAIR to all in the State. The list is a clear breach of ss.14(4) & 192(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While some local government areas and towns have two nominees each on the list, some local government areas and towns like my dear Ifon/Orolu have none. Yet, Ifon/Orolu is particularly noted to be a “PDP LG/Town” n the State. In fact, the PDP has almost always won her elections in Ifon/Orolu LGA.

So, s.192 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria establishes appointment to the office of the commissioners of the government of a state as may be made by the Governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly. The provision further directs that the Governor in making such a nomination/appointment SHALL CONFORM with the provision of s.14(4) of the same Constitution.

S.14(4) imposes what is called a federal or state character principle, and this also applies to the states. The principle simply means that all government appointments, particularly those into the state executive council as the present one in Osun, must recognise and reflect the characters and diversities in the states in order to give a sense of belonging to all in the state.

To the above end, Governors try to spread their appointments across LGs in their states. The President does the same by making appointments from across the states and regions.

There are 30 LGs in Osun, and from the list just released by the House of Assembly, some LGs and Towns have two nominees each while some have none. That is clearly unfair to all concerned, and it is hoped the Governor will redress the unfairness very quickly by reviewing the nominations to accommodate those LGs and Towns that have been unfairly excluded. Orolu LGA is an independent LG in the state and deserves equal treatment and recognition like others. In fact, Orolu LGA is famous as the food basket of the state given her farm produce and the popular Olufon market that is visited weekly from far and wide across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, I am not oblivios of the need to have a lean cabinet for economic reasons. However, you can’t call a list of 25 persons a lean cabinet in a 30 LGs state. Yet, you have some LGs and Towns having two slots while some have none. That is neither lean nor fair to all.

The Governor should kindly revist the nomination and give a sense of belonging to all. Ifon/Orolu clearly deserves better!

God bless Osun State.

Misbau Alamu Lateef, PhD
Orolu Local Government Area, Osun State.