Cabinet List: Ifon-Orolu community alleges marginalisation

The Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union, IPU, has expressed displeasure over alleged marginalisation of the community and the entire Orolu Local Government Area by the administration of Ademola Adeleke.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of IPU, Basit Olatunji, the people of Ifon-Orolu also accused the governor of reneging on his campaign promise.

Olatunji said, “I deeply express my displeasure over the list of commissioner nominees that you recently submitted to the State House of Assembly for screening.

“We are so disheartened to find out that no son or daughter of Ifon-Osun made the list. We are not happy about this and we feel we are deserving of a juicy position in your cabinet.

“Politically speaking, we understand that a lot of factors determine how appointments are made. However, we strongly believe that regardless of what those factors may be, Ifon-Osun deserves a place in your list of commissioners. With all due respect, Ifon-Osun displayed great support and loyalty towards your emergence as Governor.

“And for a fact, the majority of our people are staunch supporters of PDP, your party. With this list circulating recently, we have been demoralised and disenchanted because we feel we have been short-changed and our support for your party is undervalued.

“Aside from this, the constitution of our country recognizes the fact that appointments should be given based on the principle of federal character, and in our own case, state character. In this regard, we are of the opinion that all local governments in Osun State should be represented in your cabinet because by virtue of your position as Governor, you are the father of all.”

Olatunji, who reminded Governor Adeleke of his assurance to run an inclusive government during his last visit to the local government, added that the list did not portray inclusiveness.

“This recent list does not, in any way, portray the inclusiveness which you promised. We, therefore, ask you to please look into our concerns and make our people happy. We believe in your capacity and we revel in the assurance that you have the interest of all Osun indigenes at heart,” he said.

Recall that the list of 25-member cabinet nominees was made public by the Speaker of the Osun Assembly, Adewale Egbedun on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Since then, it has continued to generate controversy as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, described it as one showing the governor lacked the capacity to lead.

The party also called on the citizens of the state not to expect anything from the cabinet members.

But the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state also defending the list, said that the nominees were competent technocrats and professionals.

Rights activists and political pundits have also criticised the list as it has only two females out of 25 names.

They maintained that the list contravened the Beijing Convention which ratified a 35 percent affirmative action for women.