OPC sacks leader in Osun over Tinubu poll fund

The National Executive Council and the National Coordinating Council of the Oodua People’s Congress has announced the replacement of its Osun State coordinator, Adedeji Aladesawe, with another chieftain of the group, Adeyemi Aboderin.

Aladesawe had been the OPC coordinator in Osun State until recently when he was asked to step aside.

Aboderin, who replaced him was the OPC Secretary in Osun State and he is the current Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council.

A statement on Sunday by the OPC Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, said Aboderin’s appointment had been unanimously confirmed by the OPC NEC and the National Coordinating Council.

The statement read, “This is to inform the public that the National Executive Council has approved the appointment of Aboderin Adeyemi as the new coordinator of the Osun State chapter of the Oodua People’s Congress.

“The appointment came as a result of the OPC leadership’s desire to sustain the ideals of promoting the core values of the organisation.”

When contacted, the former Osun State Coordinator of the group, Aladesawe, told The PUNCH that he was removed by the OPC National Coordinator, Chief Gani Adams, on the allegations that he collected N35m from the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to mobilise support for him in the build-up to the last presidential election.

Aladesawe said, “I was removed alongside Oyo State Coordinator, Olumo, and two others. People had called our National Coordinator, Gani Adams, to ask him if there is proof that I collected money from Tinubu before the last presidential election because that was the allegation levelled against us.

“I was accused of collecting N35m and a Jeep from Tinubu before the last election. I have never met Tinubu or any of his representatives. Olumo and I, the Oyo Coordinator, were accused of collecting N35m each and vehicles.

“Without any evidence against us; we were removed by the National Coordinator.

“We were even made to swear before the highest OPC leadership to prove our innocence.”

Efforts by The Punch to reach Kehinde Aderemi, Special Assistant on Media to OPC National Coordinator, Gani Adams, for reaction to Aladesawe’s allegations proved futile as he could not be reached through his mobile line.

Reply to a text message sent to him was still being expected as of the time of filing this report.

Credit: The Punch