In the ever-tumultuous arena of Nigerian politics, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again demonstrated its penchant for stirring unnecessary controversy Their recent demand for the resignation of Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, over his alleged reaction to representatives from Sally Tibbot Consulting, reeks of desperation and hypocrisy. But let’s peel back the layers: Does the Osun APC even understand what truly transpired, or are they simply grasping at straws to deflect from their own governance failures?
The incident in question revolves around a leaked audio recording where the Chief of Staff reportedly expressed strong words during a conversation involving Sally Tibbot’s lawyer and director. According to reports, this stemmed from an audit exercise initiated by Governor Adeleke himself to uncover payroll irregularities inherited from the previous APC-led administration under Gboyega Oyetola Sally Tibbot Consulting was hired to probe rumors of padded payrolls, and their findings allegedly pointed to significant fraud—fraud that the government insists originated from the Oyetola era.
However, tensions escalated when the firm insisted on certain claims that the state viewed as attempts to manipulate or defraud the process.
Here’s the crux: The Chief of Staff was provoked. Insults were hurled, boundaries were crossed, and there’s only so much nonsense one can condone before responding in kind. Alhaji Akinleye, like any human being, is not an angel.
He is a dedicated public servant thrust into a high-stakes role, defending the integrity of Osun State’s administration against what the government describes as baseless accusations potentially sponsored by political opponents. What triggered his anger? A perceived attempt to undermine the audit’s purpose and tarnish the current leadership.
The Osun APC’s selective outrage ignores this context, painting a one-sided picture to score cheap political points.
Their call for resignation is not just clueless. It’s utterly unfounded. Who are they to demand such a thing? Did the APC employ the Chief of Staff? No, he serves at the pleasure of Governor Adeleke, a leader elected by the people of Osun to steer the state away from the mismanagement that plagued the previous regime. Only those who hire can fire, and this baseless clamor holds no water. It’s a classic case of opposition politics: shout loud enough, and hope the noise drowns out the facts.
Let’s not forget the hypocrisy here. If the APC were still in power, they would likely do far worse.
Their tenure was marred by allegations of financial impropriety, including the very payroll padding that Governor Adeleke sought to expose through this audit. Now, as the truth emerges, they’re scrambling to shift blame. The entire Sally Tibbot saga isn’t about attacking the current government. It’s about saving the APC’s own back.
They messed up royally during their time in office, leaving behind a legacy of ghost workers and fiscal leakages that cost Osun billions. Governor Adeleke’s administration is merely cleaning up the mess and, in doing so, has shown remarkable restraint.
Governor Ademola Adeleke himself embodies magnanimity and peace. Despite the provocations, his government has remained open to investigations by anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC and EFCC, challenging Sally Tibbot to present their evidence transparently. This is a leader committed to accountability, not the vendetta-driven politics the APC accuses him of. Instead of fueling division, the Osun APC should keep quiet and reflect on their own shortcomings.
Their demands are nothing more than political theater, designed to distract from the real progress being made under Adeleke’s stewardship—progress in education, infrastructure, and transparent governance.
In the end, Osun deserves better than this partisan noise. The Chief of Staff’s reaction, while passionate, was a human response to provocation in defense of the state. The APC’s attacks only highlight their irrelevance in a state moving forward under visionary leadership. It’s high time. Osun APC covers her eyes in shame and regret and lets Osun thrive
E-signed: Hon Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and A Better Judicial System
