Osun APC criticizes Adeleke over N1bn Church donation, aide responds
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke and his siblings for donating N1 billion to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Lagos, describing it as a misplaced priority and a waste of state resources.
It should be noted that the donation of one billion naira was made to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Lagos in memory of the Adelekes’ late mother, Easter Adeleke, who was a prominent member of the church during her lifetime.
In response, the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, denied the allegations, clarifying that the donation was a private philanthropic gesture by the business mogul Dr. Deji Adeleke and had no connection to the state treasury.
The APC chairman in the state, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, questioned the timing of the donation, noting that it came at a time when there are many pressing government obligations requiring financial attention in the state.
Lawal stated that while the APC does not oppose the support of religious groups by individuals or groups, such actions should be conducted with a touch of decency.
He further explained that the timing of the donation, while Governor Adeleke is still the Chief Executive of the state, could lead the public to conclude that the N1 billion donation came from the state’s common patrimony.
He stated, “It wouldn’t be an overstatement to suggest that the scarce resources of Osun State were used by Governor Adeleke for a substantial donation in memory of his mother at a church in Lagos.”
“As a party, we are not against helping religious institutions, whether by individuals, corporate bodies, or political figures. However, it is our firm belief that decency and morality should not be compromised in the name of charity.”
“While we find it unnecessary to comment on the governor’s conduct in public, which is often inconsistent with his high office as the leading citizen of Osun State, Governor Adeleke could save us from collective embarrassment by refraining from his antics, such as those displayed at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, especially since he has yet to make any convincing statement regarding the N70,000 minimum wage for state government workers, as approved by the Federal Government.”
Rasheed described the APC’s statement as “barefaced lies and fake news,” adding, “Let us recall that Dr. Adeleke made substantial donations to the state government under the Oyetola administration during the COVID crisis. Was Governor Adeleke in office then?”
“Dr. Adeleke also made significant contributions to the Federal Government during the COVID crisis. Was Governor Adeleke managing the Osun treasury at that time?”
“At the event in Lagos, neither the State Government nor the State Governor made any donation. The only donation came from Dr. Adeleke, who is more than capable of doing so, as he had done for APC governments when Mr. Oyetola and Muhammadu Buhari were in office.”
“The Osun APC is becoming increasingly delusional, overwhelmed by the impressive performance of Governor Ademola Adeleke. These days, press statements from the state APC seem like nonsensical concoctions from distressed minds who are confused about how to challenge the State Governor.”
“We aim to end this unnecessary debate by reiterating that neither the state government nor the state Governor donated the said one billion naira to the Lagos church. Additionally, the money did not come from the state treasury. We also emphasize that the philanthropist who made the donation has made even larger donations in the past, including to the APC government, to address state emergencies.”
“Members of the public should disregard the outbursts and false news from those now running the deeply unpopular and divided APC structures in Osun State,” the spokesperson concluded.
