2020 was a memorable year across the globe as it brought something unprecedented in the history of the world – COVID-19. Words like lockdown, palliatives and social distancing became part of our daily dictions. In Osun State, there were specific events that shook and shaped discussions at different points in the year. InsightMedia gathered some of the events to refresh our memories.
1. Alleged attack on Oyetola on January 1st
On January 1st, 2020, precisely during the Cross over night at Freedom Park in Osogbo, some political thugs invaded the cross over activities where Governor Gboyega Oyetola was seated and disrupted the event. Several individuals who were present scampered for safety as the hoodlums were throwing stones at dignitaries at the programme.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Osun Governor, his cabinet members attacked by thugs on January 1
The Government however, denied the attack on Oyetola afterwards.
2. In March, Governor Oyetola announced reversal of some policies in education after a “holistic review” by Professor Olu Aina-led committee. Among the policies are reversal to old school uniforms and old names, abolition of middle schools and several others. This move was well received by majority of stakeholders in education sector. However, some people saw it as an attempt to get back at the former Governor and Oyetola’s predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, whose adminstration introduced the policies. The implementation kicked off in October, while the conversation around it lasted for several months before and after implementation.
3. COVID-19 and Ejigbo saga
Barely four weeks after the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Nigeria, there was an influx of cases into Osun. These people, who claimed to be indigenes of Osun State, were stranded at a border community in Ogun and the Ogun Government contacted Osun counterpart. They were brought into the state and isolated in Ejigbo, where they claimed they hail from. After two rounds of tests, about hundred of them tested positive and that made Osun a subject of national discuss.
Several drama unfolded during their stay at the Isolation centre, ranging from the video released where they alleged neglect to their missing of a man confirmed to be positive.
4. The PDP Crisis
The opposition People’s Democratic Party used larger part of 2020 to nurse crisis. It’s a year where three persons presided over the affairs of the party in four sequences. The crisis stemmed from a petition written by some aggrieved members against the Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodo and he was suspended on 30th of April. Elder Sunday Akanfe Atidade took over from him, being the Deputy Chairman. His reign ended on September 30th when the National Working Committee removed Adagunodo outrightly. Sunday Bisi, the erstwhile Publicity Secretary took over officially mid October.
READ ALSO: Osun PDP Chairman, Adagunodo suspended by NWC over allegations of maladministration, anti-party
However, more drama unfolded as Osun State High Court sitting in Ikirun granted an interim order restoring Adagunodo as the Chairman of the party. As the party continues battling with the case in Court, Adagunodo went ahead and announced a change of party Secretariat, a move that caused more rancorous moments.
Till now, the party still continue visiting the court with next date on January 25. Adagunodo still remains the recognized party Chairman.
5. Deaths of politicians
On June 12, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Barrister Mikhail Adejare Adebisi died in a Lagos hospital. Adebisi suffered from stroke and the inability to travel abroad due to COVID-19 lockdown across the globe worsened his case before he eventually passed on. Read here
Few days later, the Chairman of Olorunda North LCDA, Quadri Owonikoko, another close ally of Governor Gboyega Oyetola lost his life. He died at his residence in Osogbo.
6. The $20m US health care revitalization grant
Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi released a statement questioning how the state government spent the 20m US dollars it received from a donor to revitalize the healthcare sector. This statement generated heated argument within the state. The Government went ahead to publish all the newly renovated primary health centers across the 30 local government areas.
To be continued on Monday….
