The Osun State Government has criticised former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye, for referring to Governor Ademola Adeleke as a “Caretaker Governor.”
Mr Owoeye made the comment during a political programme in Yoruba, Oro Oselu, aired on a private radio station on Monday.
He said that Governor Adeleke is a caretaker governor who, according to him, will be removed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2026.
Reacting to the remark, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, released a statement condemning the comment and calling it “reprehensible and condemnable.”
Rasheed challenged the reasoning behind Mr Owoeye’s words and demanded that he withdraw the statement and apologise publicly.
He said, “A duly elected governor who was subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court is by all accounts not a caretaker governor but a state leader with legal mandate due for renewal in 2026.”
He added that the former Speaker may be unhappy about the road project from Palace to Brewery junction, which is nearly completed by Governor Adeleke.
“Ijesha people are praying daily for the Governor over that singular feat,” he said.
Rasheed further stated, “Or maybe he is in pain over the direct curse placed on any Ijesaman who may dare to work against the re-election of Governor Adeleke by the late Owa of Ijesaland.”
He also questioned whether Owoeye was frustrated by recent political developments in the region.
“Or is he disappointed that a purportedly high-profile defector has failed to ignite mass defection or that Hon Sunday Bisi, Senator Fadahunsi and other Ijesa PDP leaders are solidly holding the ground for the party and the Governor in Ijesa land?” he asked.
The governor’s spokesperson reminded the public that Owoeye had visited Governor Adeleke multiple times in the early days of the administration for file approvals and to receive entitlements.
“How can the Governor who approved your files and even paid your entitlements be labelled caretaker Governor?” he asked.