Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party PDP-led administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of deliberately hoarding the recently pronounced six White Papers, “for ulterior motives” 13 days after an official statement announced the release.
It would be recalled that on January 18, 2024, the Osun State Government announced the existence of six White Papers, five on various committees which investigated issues raised by the Adeleke Executive Orders at the inception of his administration on November 27, 2022, as well as White Paper on Education Summit.
Among the White Papers approved included those of Committees on Chieftaincy Matters; Contracts/MOU/Agreements Review Committee; Solid Minerals Committee; Assets Inventory and Recovery Committee; Staff Audit/Appointment/Promotions Review Committee and White Paper on Education Summit.
The state government directed the state Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment to publish the six White Papers in the official government gazette.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, had assured the members of the public who might be interested in acquiring and possessing copies of the White Papers to approach his ministry.
“To the consternation of the interested members of the public, the copies of the government gazette containing the Six White Papers are not available at the state ministry of information after 13 days as assured by the government,” APC said.
Expressing worry over the development, the Osun State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, yesterday said there was more to the deliberate hoarding of the White Papers than meets the eyes.
Lawal explained that there could not be any reason for the hoarding of the gazette other than for ulterior or better still, “lack of preparedness for governance by Governor Adeleke who is always been revved like a vehicle before he could deem it fit to do the needful.”
He observed that the number of minuses credited to the Adeleke administration is legendary, asking the governor to stop constantly being a source of embarrassment to himself, his party and the entire good people of the state among the comity of states in Nigeria.
According to Lawal, “It is worrisome that Adeleke is orchestrating the hoarding of the government gazette containing the Six White Papers in a similar manner that he has been an architect of lawlessness in the state through his aiding and abetting the state courts to engage in an indefinite strike for three months running.
“Adeleke should thread softly in order for him not to be on the wrong side of history as his administration is tenured.
“When Governor Adeleke knew that the gazette for the Six White Papers would not be ready, why did he go ahead with the announcement of the phony release 13 clear months after the inauguration of the committees?”
