- Safiu Kehinde
Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defended the visit of the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, to the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) Chieftain, Bisi Akande.
The party, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Chairman, Sunday Bisi, describes Adeleke’s Visit to Akande at his Ibadan residency as an act of political strength not weakness.
Bisi held that the governor’s visit to the opposition party’s chieftain was in alignment with his agenda to engage men and women of goodwill in preventing the state from further conflict.
Recall that Osun State had last month experienced violence over the reinstatement of the sacked All Progressive Congress (APC) local government chairmen and councillors.
While, Adeleke and the PDP held that the 2022 High Court ruling which sacked the LG Chairmen remained valid, the APC claimed that the Appeal Court sitting last month had overruled the High Court ruling, thereby reinstating the sacked council leaders.
Clash would ensue between supporters of the APC and PDP in the first attempt by the reinstated council leaders to take over LG secretariats across the states, leading to death of members from both parties.
Prior to the clash, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) had fixed date for a new LG election which was held last week against several calls for its suspension.
With the eventual takeover of the LG secretariats by the reinstated APC Chairmen and Councillors, Adeleke had urged winners of the election to steer clear of the secretariats pending the resolution of the crisis.
This appeared to have brought the state governor to Chief Bisi Akande- a visit which was strongly condemned by the Osun APC.
Reacting to the condemnation, the PDP, in the statement, held that Adeleke’s visit showed his deep sense of responsibility, stressing that his consultation with state elders across party lines is aimed at rebuilding peace and restoring the rule of law.
The statement read in part; “The commencement of statewide consultations, including a visit to Chief Akande, is a sign of statesmanship and a demonstration of leadership acumen by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated in response to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We note with disdain the anger of the Osun APC over Governor Adeleke’s visit to Chief Akande. We are not surprised by the vituperations of the vampire-driven elements within the Osun APC, who are bitter that their plot to destabilize Osun State has failed.
“Governor Adeleke lost six of his party members to the cold hands of death, killed by bullets from APC thugs. Yet, as a leader with a deep sense of responsibility, he has launched consultations with state elders across party lines to rebuild peace and restore the rule of law.
“Omo onilu ki fe kotu,” a Yoruba proverb, aptly describes Governor Adeleke’s actions. Only a bastard would rejoice in the recent killings perpetrated by elements within the APC. As our Governor and our party are made up of responsible men and women of this great state, we will not support setting it ablaze to satisfy the grievances of sore losers who were defeated in a free and fair election.
“As such, Mr. Governor is reaching out to all shades of opinion. His agenda, as it was before the crisis, remains to engage men and women of goodwill in salvaging the state from further conflict. Genuine democrats abide by the rule of law, and that is precisely what Governor Adeleke is advocating.
“The Governor and his party are embracing peace not out of weakness but as a demonstration of wisdom and political strength, reinforced by the massive goodwill we enjoy from the people. The people stand firmly with us, and we must protect them from political bandits and marauders who fear free and fair elections.
“Regarding the illegal occupation of local government secretariats, the party and its government are committed to using legal means to restore legitimately elected officials. We will not act like arsonists or pseudo-dictators who have lost all understanding of democracy.
“We commend Mr. Governor for this initiative and urge him to continue his consultations. We have a sacred duty to protect the state from anarchists who are dangerously intoxicated by a false sense of temporary power.”