Strong indication emerged Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital that the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun may relieve the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Oludare Kehinde of his duties following his public outburst against the former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
The governor had expressed displeasure and dissociated himself and his administration from the comment made by his Youths’ Commissioner which is perceived as, “unfortunate and uncomplimentary” of the status of Chief Osoba.
The Commissioner had during an interview with the media, described Osoba, one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a failed political leader in Ogun state who failed to groom and develop future leaders that would have taken over from him in the state unlike the personalities of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and late Lam Adesina of Oyo state.
But in a statement issued late Tuesday Abiodun said the comments were never a reflection of the mind of his administration, emphasising that that the affected Commissioner, Kehinde “has accordingly been reprimanded”.
According to the governor, the entire members of his cabinet has tenders an “unreserved” apology to Chief Olusegun Osoba for the comments made by the Commissioner.
“The words used in those unwarranted and unauthorised comments were indeed infantile and distasteful. These comments were never a true reflection of the disposition of both the governor and indeed the government and the high esteem that Chief Olusegun Osoba is held, ” said.
LEADERSHIP reliably gathered that the affected Commissioner was not allowed into the inner chamber to be part of the State Executive Committee meeting held yesterday at the governor’s office.
Also, in the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Kunle Somorin said the governor “is indeed proud to be associated with Baba Osoba and remained grateful for his leadership role at bringing the current administration in place and his role as a pillar of support will continue to stabilise the Dapo Abiodun led administration.
“It is therefore no exaggeration that Akinrogun Egba, Aremo Akile Ijebu, Araba Yewa, Asalu of Remo is the father of modern Ogun state. It is gratifying that this issue has been discussed with Baba and as, usual, he has demonstrated the fatherly and reassuring understanding of a leader, he truly is”.