The crisis rocking the leadership of the Osun State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees during the week took another dimension as some stakeholders accused the Head if Service, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade of planning to victimise the immediate past Chairman of Forum of Council Managers, Mr Yinka Odewale.
According to sources, a meeting was held on Wednesday to perfect the plan to arrest and victimise Odewale over his stand with Deji Adeyeye-led NULGE leadership.
Those allegedly present at the meeting are Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, the Head of Service, Mr Femi Ogundun the Coordinating Director, Comrade Adekomi Jacob, NLC Chairman, Comrade Bayo Adejumo, the JNC Chairman, Comrade Adekola Adebowale, TUC Chairman, Mr. Adewale Adedapo, the current Chairman, Forum of Council Managers.
Speaking with newsmen, Comr. Deji Adeyeye said he is aware that the Head of Service has been victimising Yinka Odewale just because he decides to stand by the truth.
He said, “I am still the NULGE President recognised by the Court. I am aware and I can say it anywhere that the Head of Service has been victimising Yinka Odewale long ago, thinking that if he victimise him, he would join him to fight me. What I know for sure is that the Head of Service will continue to victimise Odewale in as much he chooses to stand by the truth.”
“He has been victimising him even as far back as the day of Aregbesola. He transferred him from the local government when the present Governor, Oyetola said he (Olowogboyega) should suspend the unification circular, he still overruled the decision of the Governor and transfer Yinka Odewale to Art and Culture, a forum of council manager. They did it to an extent that they victimised him and remove him as Forum Chairman.”
“I must say this, I appreciate Yinka Odewale for standing by me when others left me. However, he did not stand by me, but he stands by the truth and principle. He is a man of integrity and impeccable character.”
In his reaction, the Osun State TUC Chairman, Comr. Adekola Adebowale denied plans to victimise anyone, stating that the said the meeting was all about how to make sure the Civil Servants in the state get what belongs to them.
In his words, Adebowale said, “The meeting we had borders on why some workers are yet to get their promotion letters. We discuss on how to bring the local government back to live.
“By all standards, HOS cannot stoop so low to be fighting a council manager. A Head of Service who did not fight his Permanent Secretaries will now be fighting a council manager? It is unheard of.”
“Yinka Odewale is my good brother and we have good relationship, but he is someone who likes dwelling in petty issues. Though, am aware that he has issues with his people, but not with the Head of Service. With due respect to him and his office, he is not among those the HOS will be slugging issues with.”
Efforts to reach the Head of Service for his reaction failed as he did not pick calls to his phone number while text to it has not been responded as at the time of filing this report.
