Adeleke downplays anti-party allegations against deputy

The Osun State Government on Wednesday declared that allegations of anti-party activities levelled against the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, would not affect his office, as Governor Ademola Adeleke continues to repose confidence in him.

The also was the former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, with the government insisting that the duo remained loyal and committed to the administration.

This was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who described the controversy in Ife Federal Constituency as a “family dispute” being addressed by the party leadership.

“Be that as it may, the government wishes to use this medium to state without hesitation, in any form whatsoever, that the crisis has not affected the position of Prince Kola Adewusi as the Osun State Deputy Governor as he also retains his position as a strong and loyal party man whose integrity and commitment to the present administration is not in doubt,” the statement said

By whatever yardstick, the government still reposes strong confidence in him as the second in command to the governor. His position is not in any way affected by the controversy.

“In the same vein, Osun State Government wishes to reaffirm its confidence in Prof. Wale Oladipo, as he retains his position, not only as a member of the Board of Trustees of our party (PDP) from the state but his chairmanship position of Osun State University Governing Council Chairman.

“The government is pleased to add that both the state Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi and Professor Wale Ladipo are in good working relationship with the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the PDP-led administration. Not for once, has the integrity and strong loyalty of the duo been in doubt.

The defense followed a vote of no confidence passed in Adewusi, Oladipo, and the PDP chairman of Ife East Local Government, Olasunkanmi Makinde, by party leaders in the constituency.

They were accused of fraternising with the lawmaker representing Ife Federal Constituency, Mr. Bimbo Ajilesoro, who recently dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress.

Two state cabinet members, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Biyi Odunlade, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Dipo Eluwole, were among 39 party leaders that signed the communique against the deputy governor and others.

But the state chairman of the party, Sunday Bisi, has ordered those involved in the feud to desist from further escalation, assuring that the rift would be resolved internally.

Commending the intervention of the PDP leadership, the government appealed for calm.