Indigenes of Ifon-Osun, Orolu local government area of Osun state have kicked against the choice of Prince Adekunle Benson as the incoming Chairman of the local government.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union and the Olufon in Council made the rejection known in a statement and during interview with obtained by InsightMedia on Wednesday.
The community warned Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Gboyega Famodun that imposition of Benson might be the end of the APC in the community and the local government.
The statement signed by Prince Jide Akinyooye partly read, “We would like to seize this opportunity to express the profound gratitude of the entire Orolu community to His Excellency, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, the Executive Governor of Osun State for responding to the yearning of the people by rehabilitating Osogbo – Ifon Road that the Federal Government has abandoned overtime.
“On behalf of the entire religious leaders, Olufon Royal Dynasty, Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union and Orolu Traditional Council of Chiefs in Orolu Local Government of Osun State, we thank you for a job well done.
We must be frank sir at this time to say we are constrained to call the attention of His Excellency, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola the Executive Governor of Osun State and the Osun State leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to ongoing political show-of-shame where a few bad eggs among the Orolu political leaders and a former State legislator are tactically deploying every means possible to manipulate the forthcoming APC party primary election towards re- presenting Hon. Benson Adekunle Adesina as the Chairmanship candidate of the ruling party on the pretence that such agenda was a special assignment by Mr. Governor and the top echelon of the ruling APC at the state level.
“We will also like to remind you that the people of the ancient town of Ifon Orolu have consistently rejected same Hon. Benson Adekunle Adesina on his account of poor performance, lack of respect for the community leaders and lack of transparency among other social and political vices he has been committing repeatedly while he serves . At this juncture, it is important to reveal to the State Government that Hon. Benson Adekunle Adesina has always referred to Governor Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola and the State Party Chairman as limiting factors behind his woeful performance.
“Coincidentally, the personal interest of these political gladiators in our incumbent Caretaker Chairman that is seeking to occupy same seat in fourth time is being mistakenly projected as if there are no other competent hands in our dear town than this failed chairman.
I think it’s pertinent to call your attention to recall how obvious consistent the rejection of Hon. Benson Adekunle Adesina before the State Party leadership of APC who finally recommended him for Caretaker Chairmanship of Orolu Local Government was at that time; The Lagos and River State Branches of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union have also passed vote of no confidence on him.
“Besides, the National leadership and late Oba Al-Maroof Adekunle Magbagbeola Olumoyero II, The Olufon of Ifon-Orolu Kingdom equally communicated the community rejection of this same person,Hon. Benson Adekunle. Yet, all these agitation were ignored and Hon. Benson Adekunle was imposed against the will of Orolu people then. Perhaps, this contributed to why Hon. Benson sees himself as untouchable and continually imposing himself and his political interest on the whole of Ifon Orolu’s choice everytime. The clear indication to Orolu people as revealed by Hon. Benson Adekunle administration is that Orolu Local Government cannot grow under his watch hence the reason why he must be substituted with a credible hand this time around. Imagine a leader that ruled for about five years without commissioning a single project nor was he even accountable or transparent in his style of governance.
“Therefore, we are using this medium to enjoin the leadership of APC in the state and the governance class held by MR Governor to see this one as a means to redeem the image and future of the ruling party from total collapse because it is mind-buggling and disheartening to continue parading same failed person that cannot justify his leadership in the guise of progressive culture loyalty that is not in accordance with the dynamic style of the people’s expectation and this I think is one of the reasons why APC didn’t fare better in last guber poll in Ifon Osun.
“Finally, Orolu people are waiting for the intervention and clarifications against this blatant abuse of office and position by some APC leaders in the state who keep giving us Hon Benson Adekunle against the people’s popular choice and acceptable candidate. It is not ideal for the State leadership of APC to allow evil agenda against the will of Orolu majority such as perceived imposition in the name of purported loyalty,after all,a repeated dirty slap they say causes blurry vision and once bitten twice shy they say.”
Speaking with InsightMedia on telephone, the Eesa of Ifon-Orolu and head of the kingmakers, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji said the rejection of Benson is a unanimous decision of the community and its people.
Oyetunji said, “The entire Ifon-Osun community is against Benson. All of us. Benson is not fit to be Chairman. If APC uses power to impose him on us, when the problem arises, that may be the cause of another problems for Oyetola’s government.”
When contacted, the embattled chairman Benson, said those against him are not his party members. He said they are only mixing political contest with contest for Olufon stool.
Benson said he performed well as Chairman and his party members are on the same page with him.
