Human Rights Lawyer Applauds Adeleke’s Quick Actions as Osun Governor

Pelumi Olajengbesi, a human rights lawyer, praised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Saturday for taking swift action to protect the state’s interests in his first few days in office.
According to Track News, Olajengbesi stated that it was a good thing Adeleke rescinded the hasty appointments and other alleged unconstitutional actions taken illegally by his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola.

He believes that public officials must learn to act constitutionally regardless of whether they win or lose an election.

The human rights lawyer accused Oyetola of hostility, political bitterness, and intolerance for allegedly failing to follow due process in order to properly hand over to Adeleke.

He also accused the former governor of abusing his power, claiming that his actions were illegal.

Olajengbesi made these remarks against the backdrop of Oyetola’s appointment of 30 new Permanent Secretaries, among other appointments, near the end of his tenure, a move the new governor opposed.

On October 15, Oyetola also held local government elections through the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), which were later declared invalid by a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo for violating Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

In the statement, Olajengbesi said, “Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves to be congratulated again for unseating an incumbent.” It is not an easy task, but it is one that only a tenacious and courageous fighter and democrat can undertake.

“Having said that, the good people of Osun State are proud of Senator Adeleke’s actions in the few days since he was sworn in on November 27, 2022.” From the freezing of all government accounts to the renaming of the state from the State of Osun to Osun State, the suspension of monarchs appointed hastily by Oyetola following his defeat, the sacking of the chairman of the Osun electoral commission, and the order directing all former Oyetola appointees to return government properties, among other things. All of these actions are commendable and demonstrate that Governor Adeleke values accountability and justice.

“Perspective must be properly established that Oyetola flagrantly violated the constitution through his spurious and selfish appointments near the end of his ill-fated administration.”

“In reality, the apparent aggression at the start of Adeleke’s government stems from Oyetola and his administration’s refusal to cooperate with the 37-member Transition Committee established by Senator Adeleke following the PDP governorship candidate’s victory.” The Oyetola administration did not deliver a report to the state’s new governor. By refusing to cooperate with Senator Adeleke through an adequate handover process, Oyetola demonstrated hostility, political bitterness, and intolerance.

“One must encourage Senator Adeleke to maintain his firm grip on the Oyetola government’s draconian laws and policies.” Democracy should be about returning dividends to the people, not a few people enriching themselves through crony appointments. Osun’s people have seen the light, and this light will not fail them in terms of infrastructure delivery, quality education, affordable housing, potable water, stable electricity, security, and timely payment of workers’ salaries, among other things.”