The Otun Akogun of Esa-Oke, Hon. Chief Owoeye Samuel Abiodun (OSA), has warned that the people of Esa-Oke will no longer tolerate what he described as the continuous disrespect and disregard shown to the community by the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Chief Owoeye stated that the governor's recent visit to Esa-Oke, following the unfortunate and gruesome murder of one of the town's sons named Ajayi Ibirogba was expected to be a condolence visit.
However, he alleged that the governor turned the occasion into a political campaign, making statements that insulted the community and some of its prominent sons, particularly Hon. Wole Oke, against whom he allegedly directed abuses and curses at a time that the town is still mourning the demise of their king.
Speaking at a world press conference organized by APC leaders in Ward 7, Esa-Oke, the Executive Chairman of Obokun East LCDA expressed disappointment over the governor's conduct. "We were taken aback that a sitting governor, who came under the guise of sympathizing with the bereaved family and the people of Esa-Oke, chose instead to exploit the unfortunate incident for political campaigning, name-calling, and uttering curses against our people," he said.
Chief Owoeye further alleged that the governor vowed that the APC would never receive votes from Esa-Oke, describing such comments as inappropriate and insensitive.
"We are still mourning the loss of our son, yet the governor used the occasion to rain curses on our people and make political statements. This is unfair and uncalled for. Any right-thinking person should condemn such conduct. One begins to wonder what connection there is between a mourning visit and electioneering," he added.
He continued:
"We are proud sons of Esa-Oke, and there is no bastard among us. The governor should never come to our community to insult our people or pronounce curses upon them. Such language diminishes the dignity of the office of the governor. It is laughable that a governor who did not deem it fit to come and empathize with our people on the demise of our monarch found it expedient for political reasons to visit us with this undignifiying conduct therefore desecrating our land and insulting the memory of our late king. We call on well-meaning Nigerians to condemn this unfortunate conduct."
The press conference was attended by Prof. Siji Olamiju (Akol), who led APC leaders to the venue.
The party leaders jointly condemned what they described as the governor's attitude and conduct during his visit to Esa-Oke.
