Adeleke Throwing Tantrums – Aregbesola Declares

Former Osun State Governor and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has fired back at the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing its recent criticisms as “tantrums” and a “desperate attempt to grab attention.”

In a strongly worded statement issued by the Organising and Publicity Secretary of Omoluabi Progressives, Abosede Busayo Oluwaseun, the group decried what it called “the despicable outburst” from Adeleke’s media team during a period of national mourning over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We mourn the transition of our leader and patriot, President Muhammadu Buhari. One would have assumed that a rational administration would honour the solemnity of the moment,” the statement read, accusing the current Osun government of politicising the moment and making baseless allegations against Aregbesola’s legacy.

Dismissing the current government’s attempt to blame the state’s financial woes on Aregbesola’s tenure, the group defended the policies implemented under his leadership. It stated that the debts incurred during his administration were channelled into critical infrastructure, including roads, healthcare facilities, world-class schools, urban renewal projects, and youth empowerment initiatives.

Aregbesola’s camp also clarified the much-debated modulated salary structure, insisting it was not a result of recklessness but a transparent and pragmatic response to nationwide fiscal challenges. “The so-called ‘half salary’ affected only senior civil servants and political office holders. Civil servants on Levels 1-7 received full salaries throughout the period,” the statement noted.

The group recalled that over 20 states experienced similar salary delays during the economic crisis of that time, citing falling oil revenues and systemic crude oil theft that disrupted federal allocations.

It praised Aregbesola’s early actions in office, such as clearing salary arrears, instituting automated leave allowance payments, and introducing 13th-month salaries – practices it claimed brought dignity back to the civil service.

The statement also took aim at Governor Adeleke’s predecessor, blaming him for leaving salary arrears behind and for allegedly working to erase Aregbesola’s achievements.

It further highlighted Aregbesola’s exoneration by the National Assembly during his ministerial screening, noting that his financial stewardship had passed federal scrutiny.

Pointing to what it described as the “thunderous welcome” Aregbesola received during a recent visit to Osun, the Omoluabi Progressives argued that the former governor’s popularity remains undiminished. “No handouts. No rented crowds. Just raw, unfiltered love from the same people some claim he ‘wronged’,” the statement said.

In closing, the group advised the Adeleke administration to abandon its obsession with Aregbesola and focus on governance. “His predecessor spent four years attacking Ogbeni and was punished at the polls. Governor Adeleke would do well not to repeat the same mistake,” the statement warned.

“This is not leadership. This is fear, panic and insecurity. It betrays a very poor and infantile leadership which the state cannot endure,” it concluded.