Osun APC Demands Resignation of Adeleke’s Chief of Staff Over Alleged Threat to Consultant

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has asked Mr Kazeem Akinleye, Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, to resign over an alleged threat made to payroll audit consultant Saadat Bakrin-Ottun during a telephone conversation.

The dispute is tied to a wider disagreement over the implementation of a staff audit report prepared for the state by Sally Tibbot. Bakrin-Ottun had accused the Osun government of concealing multi-billion naira fraud allegedly uncovered during the verification exercise.

State authorities rejected that allegation and said the consultant’s position was misleading. According to the government, Sally Tibbot allegedly labelled many active workers as ghost workers, a claim officials said could have led to an inflated consultancy commission.

In a statement signed by Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi, the opposition party said the alleged conduct attributed to Akinleye showed he was not fit to remain in such a sensitive office. Olabisi said the party had monitored the Chief of Staff’s role for over three years and argued that his continued stay in office was damaging public confidence in the administration.

“We have been observing the actions and inactions of the Adeleke CoS since he assumed office over three years ago and hereby demand his immediate resignation, as he has brought monumental shame to the state,” Olabisi said.

Responding, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the APC’s criticism reflected political frustration. He said the opposition had become fixated on attacking senior officials in the current administration, including the Chief of Staff.

Rasheed described Akinleye as an effective public official and said he had helped coordinate governance processes while supporting due process in government operations. He also said the Chief of Staff acted to protect state resources from potential financial loss connected to the consultant’s report.

“As a strong gatekeeper, the Chief of Staff ensured that the state was not defrauded by Sally Tibbot, and Mr. Governor is proud of the role Hon. Akinleye is playing in delivering democratic dividends to the people of Osun State. No amount of blackmail will tarnish his reputation,” Rasheed said.

He added that the APC was reacting to what he called failed opposition politics, and he accused the party of mismanaging local government funds and undermining the electoral will of residents during its time in power.

Rasheed further urged Bakrin-Ottun to submit any evidence of wrongdoing to anti-corruption agencies, rather than continue what he described as a media trial involving public officials in the state. He said formal investigation channels should be used so allegations can be examined under the law.