Tenure Extension: Group Tells Osun Assembly To Ignore ‘Interlopers, Hired Mercenaries’

A socio-political group, Osun Democrats for Democracy has called on the State Assembly to ignore a petition against the extension of tenure of two exceptional public officers, describing the group as “interlopers” and “hired mercenaries” questioning the constitutional authority of the State Governor.

CityMirrorNews recalls that the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) on Tuesday asked the Osun State House of Assembly to investigate the alleged usurpation of the Public Service Rules by Governor Ademola Adeleke, in the extension of the service years of the Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, by three years.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, CDHR Chairman in Osun State, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu, stated that the action of the governor is an impeachable offence that the parliament should not take with levity.

Describing the CDHR as a moribund group which has lost values of its foundation fathers, Osun Democrats for Democracy called the attention of the desperate hatchet workers to the powers conferred on the Governor with respect to hiring of senior public servants.

The group in statement signed by Adeolu Adeyefa,Director of Operations said:
“We are compelled to ask whether the civil service rules override or is superior to the constitution of Nigeria? In any case, what is the business of the CSO in a matter where the constitution gives the Governor power to exercise?

“As the Executive Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke worked closely with his Head of Service to effect the reform of the public service which was bastardised by the previous government. New permanent secretaries were appointed and the reform process is still ongoing.

“Similarly, the Governor is effecting public sector financial reform in close coordination with the Office of the Accountant General of the state and the State Ministry of Finance. Both reforms are yielding positive reforms.

“The Governor within his powers beleives the reform must be consolidated and he granted these two officials more time to conclude the reform and effect an institutionalised committment to professonalism in the public service. This is within his powers as guarranted by the Constitution which overrides any state or service regulations

“And we must add that this is not the first time such extension will be granted. Is this the first time it is being done? In administration, there is what we call precedent. Many precedents exist even in Osun state.

The group noyed that the CSO was silent when former Governor Gboyega Oyetola extended the tenure of the former Head of service, saying the Governor has not in any way violated any law as he only acted as conferred on him by the constitution, the supreme guidance of the nation.

“We therefore urged the House of Assembly to throw the petition into the thrash bin where it belongs. The Assembly knows the Governor so well and we know the lawmakers understands that the CSO in question is an agent of the opposition.