Tunde Adeleke, Osogbo
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iree, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, have dismissed the reported endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke by the embattled traditional ruler of the town, Prince Muritala Oyelakin, describing it as a personal and partisan position that does not represent the collective interest of the people of the town.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the APC leaders, including the APC Chairman in Boripe North LCDA, Alhaji Hammed Omoniyi; Oluomo of Ireeland, Barrister Yinka Adeojo; former Commissioner for Local Government, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (BANIK); former Boripe APC Chairman, Debo Ajeigbe J.P.
They stressed that the press statement became a necessity in order to prevent members of the public from being misled into believing that the monarch spoke on behalf of the entire community.
They argued that Oyelakin’s status remains the subject of litigation, citing Suit No. HOS/20/2024 between Oba Raphael Ponle Ademola and Prince Muritala Oyelakin, noting that an injunction granted by Justice Michael Awe in May 2024 restrained the Osun State Government from presenting a staff of office and certificate of appointment to Oyelakin, making the matter sub judice.
The statement reads, “ordinarily, we would have ignored the self-serving audio endorsement because of the legal issue that involved the disputed monarch in Suit No : HOS/20/2024 (Oba Raphael Ponle Ademola Vs Prince Muritala Oyelakin) to avoid contempt of court in compliance with the perpetual injunction of Justice Micheal Awe on May 2024, where the governor was restrained from presenting staff of office and certificate of appointment to Oyelakin, but for the unsuspecting member of the public who might be misled to believe the self-serving action.
“We view the purported endorsement of Adeleke by Oyelakin on behalf of Iree people as self-serving, divisive, disappointing and capable of causing acrimony among the people of the town.
“We wondered why a character who desire to rule a respected town like Iree would draw himself into partisan political activities through the purported endorsement, instead of being neutral.
“He is expected to know that the traditional institution occupies a sacred place in society and commands the respect of people across political, religious, and social divides and the institution should remain a symbol of unity and impartiality rather than becoming a platform for partisan political messaging.
“Oyelakin, by his divisive endorsement had clearly demonstrated his status as a member and spokesperson of the Accord Party, hence, he and his co-travellers would be treated as political opponents. He has the right to support the candidate of his party, but he should not take the people of the community for fools by attributing his personal choice or opinion to mean the choice of the entire community.
“The action has further unveiled the basic reason Governor Adeleke had used an executive order to remove Oba Raphael Oluponnle Ademola in 2022 and desperately installed his party patron to divide the people who were united before his coming to power and sacrifice the peace and unity of our town for politics.
“Besides, we want to put on record that APC is the only party that is well-rooted and acceptable in Iree. The 2022 governorship election result which our party won in the town testifies to this fact. This acceptability does not come for free, but as rewards for the development that our party has brought to the ancient town.
“Some of the developments we have brought to Iree include; creation and facilitation of Boripe North local council headquarters to Iree; construction of over 2.5km circular road from Yaro junction to Walia junction; construction of Odo-oke to Eripa road junction; Construction of Poly junction to Oris road; construction of building structures at Baptist High School Iree; facilitation of the only Muslim Secondary School, Nawarudeen Grammar School Iree; installation of solar lights; procurement of transformers; procurement of patrol vehicles for Iree Police station; grading of roads, total rehabilitation of three major health centers; as well as recent empowerment of over 1000 people of Iree among many others.
“Besides, the notable and respected active politicians who have the capacity to attract development to Iree are all in the APC. They include Honourable Bello Osuolale, a two-term member of the House of Assembly; Barrister Yinka Adeojo, the Oluomo of Ireland and former state Secretary of the PDP; Prince Adebayo Adeleke (BANIK) former Commissioner for Local Government; Mr Mike Omolaja, a former Director, Omoluabi Bank; Kehinde Ayantunji, former SSA to the Governor; Sunday Fabunmi, Vice Chairman Boripe Local Government; Adepoju Ganiyu, leader of the Local Government Parliament, among several others.
“On the other hand, Governor Adeleke cannot boast of any development in Iree. The only palace road which was done recently was executed by Senator Olubiyi Ajagunla who is now a member of the APC as against the claim of Prince Oyelakin that it was done by Governor Adeleke’s administration.”
For a better society
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
