Osun LG Crisis: Adeleke, Akande hold closed-door meeting

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday, held a two-hour closed-door meeting with the former interim national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, at his Ibadan residence, over the lingering leadership crisis rocking the local governments in the state.

The meeting was part of the moves by Adeleke to brief stakeholders on the development.

The governor was accompanied during the visit by a sizable number of his cabinet members.

Among Adeleke’s entourage during the surprise visit were the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Chief Teslim Igbalaye; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale Egbedun; and Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.

Others included the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Reverend Bunmi Jenyo, and the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye.

Meanwhile, Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, hinted that the governor had launched a statewide briefing of stakeholders on the recent controversies over local government leadership in the state.

The statement said 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.

The statement read, “Today, Governor Adeleke visited elder statesman and former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, at his Ibadan residence to kick-start the briefing programme.

“The governor, 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 the rule of law for the resolution of the issues.

“According to the governor, there is a need for all stakeholders to avoid resorting to self-help to prevent further loss of lives and properties, repeating his earlier calls on parties to return to court for the ventilation of their viewpoints.

“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 a warm partnership with the Federal Government across all sectors.”

The statement further quoted Adeleke as saying, “Our father, we are here to pay homage to you as my predecessor and as an elder statesman. I am also going around to brief our leaders on recent developments in our dear state. Your relationship with the Adeleke family dates back to my late dad. I chose to start the consultation with this visit.”

Responding, Akande commended the governor for the visit, describing the development as a welcome one despite differences in political affiliations.

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.