He stepped as Governor of Osun State and within hours on Sunday, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, froze all the state government’s bank accounts, and may likely sack new permanent secretaries, among many others, appointed by his predecessor, Chief Gboyega Oyetola just days before his departure.
Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says he left N14 billion in the state coffers, but the next few days will tell what Adeleke, sworn-in as the 6th elected Governor of Osun State, has to contend with financially.
He had vowed to sack the new permanent secretaries by Monday.
Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, administered the oath of office on Adeleke at the Osogbo City Stadium.
Earlier, Justice Ojo administered the oath of allegiance on Adeleke’s deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi.
Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) directed an immediate return to status quo ante of all appointments, placements and other major decisions taken by Oyetola’s administration from July 17, the day after the governorship election in the state.
Adeleke said a panel would be set up to conduct out an inventory of government assets and recover those in wrong hands.
“All government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun State, rather than `State of Osun’, which is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution, Adeleke announced. Oyetola’s predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, effected the change of designation years ago.
“Under my watch as the governor of Osun, I will boldly correct all past injustices, corrupt acts or policies by any previous administration, which are against the collective interest of our people,’’ he said.
“I know that as a product of the collective will of you my people, there is a heavy weight of history on my shoulders and I accept the urgency of your expectations.
“The depth of your aspirations and your conviction in me to build a better state will not be misplaced,’’ he said.
Adeleke said that all policies that were not favourable to the growth and effective local government administration would be reviewed in accordance with the law.
He assured labour unions in the state of his administration’s willingness to protect workers’ interests and to promote their welfare at all times, adding that he would be labour-friendly.