Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has explained the circumstances behind Governor Ademola Adeleke’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on a radio programme, Rave FM’s Frank Talk monitored by our correspondent on Tuesday, Alimi said the governor’s exit did not happen suddenly, noting that Adeleke had submitted his resignation letter earlier than many people realised. He said this before giving the governor’s exact words:
“The governor of Osun State and the Asiwaju of Ede has formally resigned his membership from the People Democratic Party. The governor has done this and has written his resignation letter for quite a long time. According to the PDP timetable.”
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Alimi added that the governor values the public’s support and urged residents to remain calm. He referenced Adeleke’s appreciation before quoting him directly:
“It was long overdue, we appreciate the people for their support and we can only urge the people to continue to support the governor. There’s a Yoruba proverb that says eniyan laso mi, Tiba ti ri eniyan, inu mi a dun, ara mi a ya Gaga, meaning in English language that, The people are my protectors, immediately I see many people around me, I will always be happy and be joyous.”
According to the commissioner, the ongoing division within the PDP at the national level played a major role in the governor’s decision. He said the internal crisis, coupled with the approaching governorship election and INEC’s nomination deadline, made the situation unavoidable. He explained this before quoting the governor’s position:
“The governor is happy with the reaction so far and everybody understand that had it not been the fact the crisis or division at the national level, which will play a very crucial role in the nomination of the governor, the governor wouldn’t have defected, it’s not even about the issue of defection, it’s about facing reality as our own election is coming up on August but the INEC window for nomination is closing by September 15 so that’s why the governor has to resign.”
On the governor’s next political move, Alimi said discussions are ongoing and clarity will emerge soon. He made this point before adding the commissioner’s direct statement:
“As per the question where the governor is going, let us take it one after the other because election is a process, he has resigned now but let’s say on or before the Dec 12 or 13, everybody would have known that one because the deadline for the nomination: primary and some other things for the political parties is Dec 15.”
Alimi concluded by stressing that the governor’s resignation was driven entirely by the crisis within the PDP.
“Had it been that the PDP is not fractionalized at the national level, there won’t be any reason for Gov Ademola Adeleke to have resigned from PDP.”