The political landscape of Osun State has been roiled by a contentious dispute between Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola over the administration of local governments. The discord has escalated to the point where labor unions have suspended services, citing an untenable working environment.
Governor Adeleke has accused Oyetola, who currently serves as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, of orchestrating unrest within the state. In a public address, Adeleke called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, alleging that Oyetola is leveraging his federal position to destabilize the state’s governance. He asserted, “The former governor is using his influence to foment chaos in our state, making it difficult for my administration to function effectively. We are committed to delivering on our promises to the people, but these constant political interferences are obstructing progress.”
The crisis stems from a long-standing power tussle over local government administration between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. Governor Adeleke, who assumed office in November 2022, had dissolved all local government chairmen and councillors elected under Oyetola’s APC-led government, citing irregularities in their election process.
The local government officials, most of whom belong to the APC, challenged the dissolution in court. After months of legal battles, a High Court ruling recently reinstated the sacked officials, a decision that has intensified the political tension in the state. Adeleke, however, has refused to recognize their reinstatement, maintaining that his administration will not work with individuals he believes were fraudulently elected.
The impasse took a dramatic turn when the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced an indefinite suspension of services across local government offices. The labor unions cited confusion over leadership, unpaid salaries, and lack of clarity on whom to take directives from as the primary reasons for their strike.
Comrade Kehinde Abioye, the chairman of the NULGE in Osun State, said, “Our members are caught in the crossfire of political disputes. We cannot continue to operate in an atmosphere of uncertainty, where one faction gives an order today, and another faction contradicts it tomorrow. The government must resolve this impasse before we resume work.”
In response to Adeleke’s accusations, Oyetola dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. He accused the governor of mismanaging the state’s affairs and shifting blame instead of addressing pressing governance issues. “The truth is that Adeleke is struggling to manage the state, and rather than focus on governance, he is looking for scapegoats. The court has ruled in favor of the sacked officials; he should respect the rule of law instead of making baseless allegations against me,” Oyetola said.
Oyetola further stated that the APC would not sit back and watch the PDP trample on the rights of elected officials, warning that any attempt to defy the court order could result in mass protests.
Amid the heated exchanges, several political stakeholders have called for President Bola Tinubu to step in and mediate the crisis before it escalates further. Some elders within the state, including former Governor Bisi Akande, have reportedly reached out to both Adeleke and Oyetola to broker peace, urging them to prioritize the welfare of the citizens.
Meanwhile, the Osun State House of Assembly, controlled by the PDP, has thrown its weight behind Adeleke, affirming that his actions were in line with the constitution. However, the APC caucus in the Assembly insists that the dissolution of elected officials was illegal and should not be upheld.
As the crisis lingers, governance at the grassroots level remains paralyzed, with essential services halted. Civil society organizations have urged both parties to find a political resolution, warning that prolonged political instability could negatively impact economic development and service delivery in Osun State.
The coming days are expected to be crucial as both Adeleke and Oyetola face mounting pressure to resolve the impasse amicably. However, with tensions running high and neither side willing to back down, the political landscape in Osun remains uncertain.
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