The Osun State Government has said allegations of anti-party activities against the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi and the ex-Peoples Democratic Party National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, would not affect their current positions.
The government has absolved them of involvement in any anti-party activities.
It subsequently reaffirmed full confidence in the two party leaders, describing the recent event at Ife Federal Constituency as a family dispute being resolved by the People’s Democratic Party leadership.
A statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday further said Adewusi, Oladipo other leaders involved are deeply loyal and committed stakeholders who could not be involved in anti-party activities.
This position followed a vote of no-confidence passed on Adewusi, Oladipo, and the PDP chairman of Ife East Local Government, Olasunkanmi Makinde, by the party leaders in Ife Federal Constituency.
The three party leaders were accused of engaging in anti-party activities having been found to be fraternizing with the member of the House of Representatives representing Ife Federal Constituency, Mr. Bimbo Ajilesoro, who recently dumped the party and defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Two members of the Osun State cabinet, Biyi Odunlade, serving as the State Commissioner for Political Affairs, and his colleague in the Ministry of Education, Dipo Eluwole, were among 39 leaders of the party in Ife Federal Constituency that signed the communique containing vote of no confidence on Adewusi and others alleged.
But the state chairman of the party, Sunday Bisi, had directed those involved in the crises to stop further action, saying the misunderstanding would be resolved.
Commending the conflict resolution decisions already taken by the state leadership of the party, the government noted that Adewusi and Oladipo remain trusted top state officials who are pillars of grassroot support and pivotal to the progress and sustainability of the administration,
“Be that as it may, Government wishes to use this medium to state without hesitation, in any form whatsoever, that the crisis has not affected the position of Prince Kola Adewusi as the Osun state Deputy Governor as he also retains his position as a strong and loyal party man whose integrity and commitment to the present administration is not in doubt.
“By whatever yardstick, the Government still reposes strong confidence in him as the second in command to the Governor. His position is not in any way affected by the controversy.
“In the same vein, Osun State Government wishes to reaffirm its confidence in Prof.Wale Oladipo, as he retains his position, not only as a member of the Board of Trustees of our party( PDP) from the state but his chairmanship position of Osun State University Governing Council Chairman.
“The government is pleased to add that both the state Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi and Professor Wale Ladipo are in good working relationship with the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the PDP led administration. Not for once, has the integrity and strong loyalty of the duo been in doubt,” the statement read partly.
It appealed to all party leaders within the federal constituency to sheath their swords and allow the party internal mechanism to treat their grievances, assuring that all issues will be looked into.
“Finally, the Government is using this avenue to appeal for calm and restraint just as it thumbs up the Osun State Chapter of the PDP for its swift response to the crisis and the urgent need to embrace peaceful dialogue geared towards resolving the impasse”, the statement concluded.
Earlier on Wednesday, PUNCH Online reported that the Peoples Democratic Party in Ife Federal Constituency had passed a vote of no confidence in Osun State Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, and a former National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, accusing them of engaging in anti-party activities.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after the constituency’s meeting on Monday, a copy of which was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Also sanctioned in the communiqué was the Ife East Local Government PDP chairman, Olasunkanmi Makinde.
