By Jonas Iroha
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, may have been put in a sort of dilemma over demands from some powerful interests within the Peoples Democratic Party caucus from Ile-Ife, who have demanded that the current Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, be dropped.
Adewusi, an ex local government chairman, has come under fierce criticism by his kinsmen in PDP, for reportedly refusing to make case for them before Adeleke.
The Deputy Governor, who is in charge of Ministry of Sports, has been less visible in the Adeleke administration and oftentimes, run his office from Ile-Ife, where he lives.
He was also accused of refusal to ‘give back’ to the people that supported him to emerge running mate to the governor.
He was accused of ‘greasing the palm’ of only the esthwhile National Secretary of the party, Prof Wale Oladipo, while other individuals that matter in Ile-Ife PDP have been left unattended to.
“The usual excuse from Adewusi has always been low patronage by the governor which has made him financially weak to take care of his people. That is what he has been saying around. This is a man that can’t help us push any idea before his boss.
“We have resolved to demand his removal ahead of 2026 governorship election. Adeleke must drop him. We will be unveiling the man that will replace Adewusi before the second anniversary of the governor in November.
“Our deputy governor is relating with only Prof Oladipo. Is it only Oladipo that is PDP in Ile-Ife? We have resolved to replace Adewusi with another Ife man that would not abandon his responsibility.
“If Adeleke won’t drop him, we will definitely shop for another governor to replace him. We are ready to throw even Adeleke out, if he wont drop a man that has alienated himself from the PDP family in Ile-Ife,” an ex Commissioner, who is a major stakeholder in Ile-Ife politics, had said during an exclusive interview.
Also commenting, a current party executive in Ife Central Local Government PDP, who preferred to remain anonymous, said plans to replace Adewusi had been formally communicated to Adeleke.
He added, “But Adeleke has not told us his decision regarding our request that Adewusi be replaced. If he wont consider it, them we will consider other options apart from Adeleke in 2026.”
