Phone Threats Controversy: Osun APC Demands Adeleke CoS’s Resignation

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Nigeria has criticised the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Mr. Kazeem Akinleye, over an alleged threat made to a payroll audit consultant, Saadat Bakrin-Ottun, during a telephone conversation.

The controversy is linked to the disagreement between the state government and Bakrin-Ottun over the implementation of a staff audit report conducted for the government by Sally Tibbot.

Bakrin-Ottun had accused the state government of concealing multi-billion naira fraud uncovered during the verification exercise. However, the state government rejected the allegation, claiming that Sally Tibbot had allegedly classified many active employees as “ghost workers” to justify higher consultancy commission claims.

The Osun APC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, said the alleged role of Akinleye in the controversy showed that the Chief of Staff did not deserve the office he occupies.

In a swift response, the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, described the opposition’s reaction as a sign of political desperation.

He said the opposition was obsessed with attacking key government officials, including the Chief of Staff.

Rasheed described Akinleye as an efficient chief of staff serving a multiple award–winning governor of Ademola Adeleke, adding that the performance of the administration had received recognition locally and internationally.

The APC spokesperson maintained that Akinleye’s continued occupation of a sensitive government office was an insult to the people of the state.

He alleged that the state government had been run by proxy, describing the administration as incompetent and accusing the Chief of Staff of excessive influence.

“We have been observing the actions and inactions of the Adeleke CoS since he assumed office over three years ago and hereby demand his immediate resignation, as he has brought monumental shame to the state,” Olabisi said.

Defending Akinleye, Rasheed said the Chief of Staff, as the head of staff working with the governor, had demonstrated mastery of governance processes as a consensus builder and a supporter of due process.

He said the government acted to prevent alleged financial loss associated with the consultant’s report.

“As a strong gatekeeper, the Chief of Staff ensured that the state was not defrauded by Sally Tibbot, and Mr. Governor is proud of the role Hon. Akinleye is playing in delivering democratic dividends to the people of Osun State. No amount of blackmail will tarnish his reputation,” the governor’s spokesperson said.

He added that the APC was merely expressing political frustration.

“The opposition’s reaction is understandable. Where the opposition failed, the governor has succeeded. The APC faces electoral consequences for allegedly inflicting hardship on the people, mismanaging local government funds amounting to over N200 billion, and attempting to undermine the electoral will of the people,” Rasheed stated.

The spokesperson urged the consultant to present any evidence of wrongdoing to anti-corruption agencies rather than conduct what he described as a media trial of government officials.

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