By Emmanuel Abi Couson
A frontline politician, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, has advised the Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to prioritize good governance rather than engaging in frivolous activities.
He also cautioned the governor to stop playing politics with state matters and start working in the best interest of the people in accordance to an oath he had sworn to uphold.
Reacting to a petition by Governor Adeleke to the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against his immediate predecessor in office and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, over an alleged misappropriation of a $20m World Bank health grant, Ogundokun said what Osun requires and deserves is focused leadership and serious engagements.
In a statement on Friday, the elder statesmen maintained that what Adeleke as the leader of his team needs is not deviation from vision of the state forefathers, advising that he should learn to build on the good foundation of his predecessor instead of finding ways to shoot down his good legacies.
Ogundokun, who acknowledged Oyetola’s sterling performance in the highly competitive private sector, attested to his due diligence and strict adherence to rules in the public service as governor, which he said had made the criminal elements to give him uncharitable names.
“I will advise Ademola Adeleke to stop playing politics with the exalted Office of the Governor by turning it to a petition writing apparatus. He should use the enormous power of the office to improve the lots of the people instead of deploying the state resources to bully and witchhunt a perceived enemy or enemies.
“Writing a petition against a man like Oyetola, to me, is like chasing a shadow. The task before Adeleke is huge and meeting the expectations of the people should be his priority and not fighting an imaginary political foe.”
Describing Oyetola as the pride of Osun State and Nigeria, Ogundokun said he should not be pulled down but be encouraged to do a lot more for the state.
“There is nothing serious about the petition but drama and to generate negative energy towards the 2026 state governorship election. Why must we waste state resources to engage in unnecessary activities,” he queried.
The Iwo born politician advised Adeleke to stop his “destructive campaign of I will destroy you if I can’t get it”. Oyetola is honest to a fault, I am calling on all reasonable persons to join him in moving Osun State forward.
