The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Tuesday, accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of abandoning his duties and disappearing from the state for over two weeks without officially notifying the public or transferring power to his deputy.
The party described the governor’s silence as “abnormal” and questioned who had been running state affairs in his absence.
But responding swiftly, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed that the governor had travelled to the United States to attend the wedding of his nephew, global music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
Rasheed dismissed the APC’s claim as political mischief and invited the party to the wedding.
The APC in Osun, in a release signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, expressed concern that the governor would leave his duty post without informing the people, describing the situation as abnormal.
The APC said its check had confirmed that Adeleke left the state unannounced about two weeks ago, “when he failed in his effort to defect to the opposition APC.”
The opposition party said it was wrong for Adeleke to leave the state for an undisclosed destination without considering it appropriate to inform the people.
It said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state is: Where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long?
“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state for the past two weeks.
“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy, who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”
Rasheed, however, invited APC members to Davido’s wedding in the US, adding that he extended the invitation to the opposition after its statement asking for the whereabouts of the governor.
“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.
“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family. Those unable to attend may join virtually.
“Additionally, from November 2022 to date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.
“For this current trip, the governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions,” he said.
Defending Adeleke over handing over to his deputy, Rasheed said, “The governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government.”
The Punch
