Elder Statesman Ogundokun Urges Governor Adeleke to Withdraw from Osun Council Crisis
An elder statesman, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun The Obanla of Iwo Land has advised the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to withdraw immediately from any kind of conflict that will further heat up the polity and impede the progress of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
The frontline politician, in a statement on Tuesday, told the governor that the ongoing local council leadership crisis that has taken lives of six people in the State is a needless distraction that could only heat up the polity and if not properly handled snowball into further bloodshed.
The State has been in turmoil following the recent Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated the sacked chairmen and councillors in 30 local governments who are all members of the All Progressives Congress, APC. They had won the 2022 Council poll in Osun State but Governor Adeleke via an Executive Order sacked the Councils Chairmen and Councillors, and replaced them with appointed Caretaker Committees across the local councils.
On Monday February 17, violence erupted over who should control the Local Government following the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
But Ogundokun intervened, saying Osun State is known for peace and the Governor should not allow some enemies of progress to use him in disrupting the peace of the State.
“It is regrettable and worrisome to see Osun, which is one of the most peaceful states in the country, experiencing unrest and violence to such a dangerous extent. The governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, must initiate a peace process as the father of the state,” he stated.
Ogundokun, who was the Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), said he’s not a stranger to the Adeleke family of Ede as he was a friend to their late patriarch, Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke and also his sons especially, late Senator Isiaka Deji, Dupe and and the incumbent Governor Demola Adeleke.
“As a father, I owe you respect and honour. As the Governor, I owe you truth and honesty. I know the Adeleke family very well as peace-loving with distinguished character. You, as a governor, have displayed such great virtues. I could recall the honour you extended to me at the birthday celebration of Evangelist Ebenezer Obey in Lagos. You made me almost shed tears as you and your entourage prostrated openly to greet me. I will always cherish that moment.
“Based on this, I owe you nothing but honest advice and wise counsel as a father. I will advise you to stop anything that will impede the peace of this State and withdraw from further contests concerning the local council administration issues in Osun. We have seen it all as a politician and statesman from the first republic till date, thus I can only share with you this honest advice,” he stated.
Ogundokun also urged the Governor to refrain from further apportioning blame and seek peace at all costs. He also advised the Governor to shelve further provocative statements and false allegations against the former Governor and now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola.
He admonished the Governor to focus on good governance as well as deliver the dividend of democracy that will have a positive impact on the entire Osun people than engaging in any primordial political activities that could set the state backward.
“The wishes of the people should be supreme and this should be at the upper most of your interest as the Governor,” the Iwo-born politician stated.
He added; “I also want to plead with you to please stand with the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, our God given gift to Nigeria. While I’m imploring you to close rank with our Honourable Minister Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola, a gentle man of peace, who should be your friend, brother and partner of progress in peace.”
You and the entire citizens have a lot to gain if we close rank and support our President Asiwaju Tinubu
High Chief Abiola Ogundokun has served in both Regional and Federal parliaments as elected member
