Oyetola denies allegation of destabilization plot

Adegboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has denied allegations made by Governor Ademola Adeleke that he is plotting to destabilize Osun State.

Adeleke had alleged that the former governor of the state had instructed the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the DSS, and the State Commandant of the Civil Defence Corps to mobilize security operatives from within Osun to enforce a non-existent judgment by forcefully taking over the local governments today (Monday).

He said that Oyetola’s actions are aimed at enforcing a non-existent court judgment, which would allow sacked council chairmen and councillors to return to office. However, Oyetola said his antecedents, pedigree and track records of public service in the last 15 years do not support the claim by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

He urged Adeleke to respect the Appeal Court judgment, rather than resorting to “cheap blackmail”.

In a statement by the Media Office of the Minister, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Osogbo,  described Oyetola as a man of peace who has tremendous respect for the judiciary, rule of law and constituted authority, as such would never be party to any breakdown of law and order.

The statement reads: “For the four years he governed Osun, he gave a good account of himself as a man of peace, a respecter of the rule of law and one not given to violence. If he is given to violence, he would certainly have fought back violently in 2022 when was brazenly rigged out.

“Again, in 2022, when Governor Ademola Adeleke employed extra-judicial means to sack democratically elected council officials, Oyetola as the leader of the party, never preached violence. Instead, he led the party members to court.

“Thankfully, his party won at the Appeal last week. As a peace-loving leader, he appealed to security agencies to enforce the judgement of the court. How can such a man be accused of a destabilisation plot? I think anyone accusing Oyetola of violence needs to have his/her head properly examined.

“The Minister is further seizing this opportunity to appeal to his successor to respect the Appeal Court judgement, rather than resort to cheap blackmail, which has no place in law.”