The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State on Thursday exchanged accusations over a leaked audio recording in which the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, was allegedly heard issuing threats against the Alasi of Asi, Oba Olasunkanmi Oyewale.
In the audio, which circulated earlier in the week, a voice believed to be that of Egbedun could be heard during a phone call with a woman thought to be the monarch’s wife. The speaker was heard raising his voice and making disparaging remarks about the monarch.
Reacting, the Osun APC, through a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, described Egbedun’s comments as “aggressive and disrespectful,” and said they had brought the Assembly into disrepute.
The party called for Egbedun’s impeachment and urged his constituents to initiate a recall. It also asked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch a formal investigation.
“With the verifiable uncultured attitude of the Speaker to the Alasi, the pungent reason for the ceaseless acts of misgovernance bedevilling the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led government can be partly traced to the State House of Assembly under the watch of Egbedun,” the APC said.
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) also criticised the Speaker in a separate statement. The party’s chairman in the state, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, called for an impartial investigation, stating that Egbedun’s position should not shield him from scrutiny.
The PDP, in its response, said the matter was being politicised. In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Oladele Bamiji, the party said the issue was a private dispute between Egbedun and Oba Oyewale.
It claimed the recording was taken out of context and that Egbedun had previously received threats to his life, which had been reported to the police.
“These threats, which have since been formally reported, are under active investigation by the Nigeria Police,” the PDP said. “We find the APC’s statement not only hypocritical but also a calculated attempt to weaponise a sensitive matter for cheap political capital.”
The PDP accused the APC of attempting to exploit the incident for political advantage and cautioned against “actions that border on incitement.”
It also called on security agencies to expand their investigations to include APC members.
The party appealed to Oba Oyewale to allow a full investigation to take place. “We remain confident in the capacity of the Speaker, Right Honourable Adewale Egbedun, to not only demonstrate leadership in reconciling with his father but also to continue to serve with integrity and focus,” the PDP added.
