When Ademola Adeleke beat the current governor, Gboyega Oyetola, in the Osun State governorship election in July 2022, it was clearly the beginning of a new era for the state. But no one can say they saw what’s currently happening in the state coming.
What happened next?
Senator Adeleke was finally sworn in on November 27, 2022, as the sixth elected governor of Osun State. Hardly 24 hours in, he issued executive orders that have ruffled many feathers. Let’s take a look at the effect of his orders.
Suspensions
Adeleke ordered the immediate suspension of the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Segun Oladitan, and six other members of the commission. Adeleke didn’t like that there were many petitions against the officials for negligence of duty, abuse of office, absenteeism and financial impropriety. Who knew petitions could work so well in our part of the world?
Unemployment
A few weeks before Oyetola finished his tenure, he approved the appointment of 30 permanent secretaries into various ministries. Unfortunately, these appointments lasted only briefly as Adeleke completely nullified them.
And even more unemployment
The permanent secretaries were just some of the people appointed by Oyetola. The outgoing governor also mass employed 12,000 workers, but they couldn’t escape Adeleke’s executive order, as they were sacked.
Delayed monarchs
It’s one thing when common people face the brunt of a new government and another when even royalty isn’t spared. Adeleke paused the recent appointments of three monarchs: Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Yinusa Akadiri; Aree of Iree, Oba Ademola Oluponle; and Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun. Oyetola approved their appointments, but Adeleke said their palaces will remain locked until he’s reviewed the process.
Why did Adeleke make these decisions?
Adeleke believes Oyetola has been trying to sabotage his incoming government since he beat him in July. He described many of his post-election appointments as malicious because no provisions were made in the budget for their salaries.
No one knows how the story will unfold, but it’s clear that even post-elections, Adeleke and Oyetola are still at odds with each other, and the common people are the ones suffering for it.
