Lawyer: Adeleke’s decision to rescind Oyetola’s recent actions valid

Pelumi Olajengbesi, a human rights lawyer, says the decision of Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, to rescind recent decisions made by Gboyega Oyetola, his predecessor, is valid under the law.

Adeleke was sworn in as governor of the state on November 27.

A day after his inauguration, the governor ordered the suspension of Segun Oladitan, chairperson of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC). He also reversed the appointment of three traditional rulers in the state.

Adeleke was also said to have ordered the removal of 30 permanent secretaries appointed by Oyetola three days to the inauguration.

In a statement on Saturday, Olajengbesi said the recent actions taken by the former governor of the state was an abuse of power.

“Ademola Adeleke deserves to be congratulated again for unseating an incumbent. It is not an easy task but one that only a dogged and courageous fighter and democrat can face,” Olajengbesi said.

“Having said that, the good people of Osun state are proud of the actions of Adeleke in the few days that he was sworn into office since November 27. From the freeze of all government accounts to the reversal of the state’s name from the State of Osun to Osun State, the suspension of monarchs hastily appointed by Oyetola after his defeat, the sacking of the chairman of the Osun electoral commission, the order directing all former appointees under Oyetola to return government properties, among others. All these steps are laudable and show that Adeleke is one that cherish accountability and justice.

“Perspective must be properly set that Oyetola flagrantly acted in contravention of the constitution through his spurious and selfish appointments towards the dusk of his ill-fated administration.

“In fact, the seeming aggression in the starting of Adeleke’s government is simply because Oyetola and his administration did not cooperate with the 37-member transition committee set up by Adeleke after the PDP governorship candidate’s victory. No report was handed over to the new governor of the state by the Oyetola government. Oyetola demonstrated hostility, political bitterness and intolerance by not cooperating with Adeleke through an adequate handover process.

“One must encourage Adeleke to continue his firm grip on the draconian laws and policies of the Oyetola government. Democracy should be about yielding dividends to the people and not a few people enriching themselves through spurious appointments of their cronies. The people of Osun have seen light and this light won’t fail them in terms of infrastructure delivery, quality education, affordable housing, potable water, stable electricity, security and timely payment of workers’ salary, among others.”