A civil society organization, Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), has urged the British High Commission and international partners to ignore Governor Ademola Adeleke’s call for visa bans on opposition figures and to instead investigate the governor and his allies.
In a statement signed by National Convener Dr. Adeyemi Akande in Osogbo on Tuesday, OYIGG accused Adeleke of attempting to deflect blame for political violence he orchestrated by accusing innocent people.
“Our attention has been drawn to a reckless statement by the embattled governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed,” the statement read. “Adeleke has advocated economic sanctions and visa bans on Gboyega Oyetola, Distinguished Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Honourable Busayo Oluwole Oke, and others. The claim is laughable and shows that Adeleke and his government do not understand that the world is watching.”
The group said it was shameful for a governor who, it claims, harbors wanted criminals in the government house to call for visa bans on law-abiding citizens. OYIGG pointed to social media footage it says shows criminals sponsored by Adeleke and his party terrorizing citizens and opposition members across the state.
The statement also alleged that during a recent meeting with a British delegation ahead of the Osun elections, Adeleke accused the immediate past governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Senator Fadahunsi; Honourable Oluwole Oke; and others of sponsoring political violence.
OYIGG described those individuals as law-abiding opposition leaders, prominent politicians, serving lawmakers, and a federal minister known for their service to Osun State.
OYIGG further claimed that Adeleke recently attended a funeral in Esa-Oke for a cultist known locally as “Rogba,” whom the group says terrorized Esa-Oke and nearby communities.
The organization claimed the governor moved the deceased’s widow and children to Osogbo and has shown tolerance toward cultist groups, accusing Adeleke of acting as a patron to such fraternities in the state.
“Adeleke and his spokesperson are confused and controversial,” the statement added. “How can a governor seek economic sanctions and visa bans on lawmakers simply because they left one party for another.
The group accused Adeleke of facing widespread rejection because of what it termed his unpopular style of governance and warned that it would not allow the governor to use opposition leaders to boost his political standing.
OYIGG called on the British High Commission to place visa bans on Governor Adeleke and several of his associates, including Hon. Ibukun Ishola Fadipe, Hon. Sunday Bisi, Hon. Gani Olaoluwa, Hon. Wale Egbedun, Teslim Igbalaye, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, and Yeye Dupe Adeleke Sanni.
The statement alleged that Hon. Ibukun Ishola Fadipe and Hon. Wale Akere were seen on social media distributing cash to thugs and criticized the governor for not seeking sanctions against them, saying they work for him.
OYIGG demanded that the British High Commission ban and sanction Adeleke and his alleged co-sponsors of cultism and political violence within two weeks, warning that the group would stage protests and submit letters to the commission in Abuja if no action was taken.
The group also challenged the governor to provide evidence linking Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Fadahunsi, or Honourable Oluwole Oke to cultists or thugs.
OYIGG urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate and prosecute Hon. Ibukun Ishola Fadipe and Yeye Dupe Adeleke Sanni over alleged misappropriation of SUBEB counterpart funds.
The group also called for the arrest and probe of the governor’s sister, Dupe Adeleke, and businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke regarding alleged corruption connected to stalled infrastructure projects in the state.
