Former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Fatai Akinbade, has explained why he and some Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in the state withdrew their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and backed the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Akinbade attributed the decision to what he described as Adeleke’s failure to carry key stakeholders along in the affairs of his administration and political decision-making.
The former SSG stated this on Monday while featuring on SABENKO, a political affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he spoke on the political realignment ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
According to Akinbade, several of the stakeholders now supporting Oyebamiji had previously worked for Adeleke’s emergence within the PDP, contributing their experience, resources and political structures to his political journey.
He, however, alleged that their relationship with the governor became strained after Adeleke assumed office, claiming that they were no longer adequately consulted on issues concerning the administration and the state’s political direction.
Akinbade said, “Our ideas and experience were not sufficiently accommodated by the administration. Some of us had worked with Adeleke, supported him and contributed our own quota to the political process that brought him to government, so naturally we expected to be carried along.”
He added, “But when there is no consultation and stakeholders no longer feel included in the affairs of government, it creates a gap between the administration and the people who helped build the political structure.”
The former SSG maintained that the decision to support Oyebamiji was not driven by financial considerations, but by what he described as the need for participation, consultation and recognition of stakeholders’ contributions.
“Our political realignment was not motivated by financial considerations. We invested time, money, experience and political capital in the political process that brought this administration to power, and these are things that cannot simply be ignored,” Akinbade said.
“What we expected was participation, consultation and recognition of the contributions we made to the political process.”
Akinbade further described the alliance with Oyebamiji as a political response to what he considered a breakdown in the relationship between Adeleke and some stakeholders who had previously supported his administration.
He said the development was also connected to the wider political structure associated with former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, stressing that political alliances could change depending on prevailing circumstances.
“Politics is not static. Political actors can change their positions when circumstances change, and that is what has happened,” he said.
The former government secretary dismissed the suggestion that the political bloc supporting Oyebamiji would become irrelevant should Adeleke eventually secure another term.
“Politics is a game of plus and minus. You cannot say that because somebody is in government today, everybody who takes a different political position has become irrelevant,” Akinbade said.
He added that political relevance was built over time through relationships, structures and the people political actors had worked with.
Akinbade also expressed confidence in the chances of the political bloc supporting Oyebamiji, saying the people of Osun State were politically conscious and capable of determining their preferred candidate through the ballot.
Asked to assess Oyebamiji’s suitability for the governorship, the former SSG said the APC candidate was qualified to lead the state.
“For me, Bola Oyebamiji is even more than perfect for the position. He has the experience, he understands the political terrain and I believe he has what it takes to govern Osun State,” he said.
Akinbade, however, said supporting Oyebamiji did not require him or other members of the group to condemn the other candidates in the election.
His position came shortly after Oyinlola and other PDP stakeholders declared support for Oyebamiji ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Oyinlola had similarly cited lack of inclusiveness in Adeleke’s administration as one of the reasons for the group’s decision, insisting that the group remained members of the PDP despite backing the APC candidate.
“We believe strongly that no party or government can succeed sustainably when it does not carry its people and leaders along,” Oyinlola said.
The former governor added, “The PDP has always been a party built around consultation, participation and collective responsibility. These are values that we must continue to uphold.”
The PDP group, which includes Akinbade and former PDP National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Tajudeen Oladipo, subsequently endorsed Oyebamiji for Saturday’s poll.
Oyebamiji, in his reaction, expressed appreciation for the support and promised to run an inclusive government if elected.
“I thank you for the confidence and trust reposed in me. I will stand by your mandate. I will not disappoint you. I will make you proud,” the APC candidate said.
