Adeleke gets PDP lawmakers’ support amid local government crisis

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Osun State have unanimously endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term, citing his performance across key sectors and commitment to workers’ welfare despite the ongoing local government crisis.

The endorsement was among resolutions reached at a stakeholders’ meeting of the caucus held in Osogbo over the weekend. Lawmakers commended the governor for sustaining salary payments at the local government level and continuing development projects across the state, despite financial challenges arising from the crisis.

In a communiqué signed by Senator Lere Oyewumi, representing Osun West, the caucus also passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Osun PDP under Hon. Sunday Bisi, affirming that the State Working Committee, local government, and ward executives remain the authentic party leadership.

They stated that any individual or group claiming to be an alternative leadership lacked the backing of the duly elected PDP National and State Assembly caucus and should not be accorded legitimacy.

On political developments in the state, the lawmakers said recent realignments had not weakened the governor or the PDP, insisting that the party remains united across all levels, including the National Assembly caucus, State Assembly, Executive Council, local governments, and wards.

Regarding the local government crisis, the caucus condemned what it described as the continued unlawful occupation of council secretariats by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose elections were allegedly nullified by courts, and the diversion of public funds into private pockets.

Lawmakers expressed concern that withholding local government allocations is causing hardship for teachers, nurses, healthcare workers, civil servants, retirees, and traditional institutions, stressing that funds meant for the people should not be politicised.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct those occupying the councils illegally to vacate immediately and urged federal authorities to ensure allocations are paid directly into accounts operated by constitutionally recognised career officers. The caucus also urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to direct officers to return to their offices and allow local governments to be occupied by legally recognised officials.