Members of the Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised concerns over an alleged plan by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to install Abikoye Johnson Adekanmi Alani, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the 2023 APC Presidential Campaign Committee, as the Asaoni of Ora-Igbomina on Wednesday.
The PDP members, under the aegis of “Concerned PDP Members of Ifedayo Local Government,” accused the Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Dosu Babatunde, of orchestrating the alleged plan and misleading Governor Adeleke into approving Mr. Adekanmi Alani’s installation.
In a protest letter dated October 10, 2024, signed by the group’s coordinator, Mr. Ayo Fadeyan, and addressed to Governor Adeleke and key members of the State Executive Council, including Barrister Babatunde, the group expressed their concerns. The letter, made available to newsmen, claimed that Barrister Babatunde had allegedly received five million naira (N5,000,000) from an aspiring APC governorship candidate to secure Mr. Adekanmi Alani’s installation.
The letter also cited rumors that local government officials were secretly obtaining signatures from selected individuals as “Warrant Chiefs” to support the installation. Additionally, the group alleged that Mr. Adekanmi Alani had been expelled from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye over examination malpractice, result falsification, and cultism, casting further doubt on his eligibility.
The PDP members expressed disappointment that Mr. Adekanmi Alani used different names in official records and had sworn an affidavit to change his name in 2018, following his university expulsion. However, one of the discredited names was allegedly used in a transaction related to his application for the Asaoni stool earlier in 2024.
The letter concluded by urging Governor Adeleke to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that a candidate with an unblemished record is appointed to the Asaoni stool, thereby preserving the credibility of his administration.
The PDP members called for the matter to be referred to the State Security Service (SSS) for further investigation.
For inquiries, contact:
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Barrister Kolapo Alimi: +2348060761591.
