Rumblings In Adeleke’s Cabinet As Appointee Allegedly Refuses To Resign From Civil Service

Rumblings and disquiet hit Adeleke’s cabinet following the appointment of Tijani Abdulraheem Adekilekun as Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Osun State Governor.

An insider told WITHIN NIGERIA that the Ede-born journalist, Tijani Adekilekun, was appointed as senior special assistant on media to Governor Ademola Adeleke in the month of April 2024.

The insider disclosed that Tijani Abdulraheem Adekilekun, before his appointment as SSA on Media, was a state house correspondent of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC).

The insider claimed that Tijani Adekilekun has not resigned or taken a leave of absence from Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) since he was appointed.

When you’re appointed as a public officer, it is mandatory for the new appointee to resign from his previous job to focus more on his new job. This would eliminate possible divisions of attention, in particular earning twice as a civil servant and appointee from the same purse, the insider added.

According to the insider, the development that leaked out has caused a disquiet and possibly cold attitude from many aides who feel Tijani Adekilekun is being protected by some Ede-born politicians, hence his insistence not to resign or take a leave of absence.

In a telephone conversation with WITHIN NIGERIA, Tijani Abdulraheem Adekilekun confirmed that he was appointed as SSA on Media in the month of April and asked this reporter to get in touch with his employers to know if he has truly resigned or taken an absence of leave.

Mrs. Jolaade Igbaroola, the DG of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), while conversing with WITHIN NIGERIA via telephone, also confirmed that Tijani Abdulraheem Adekilekun, who has been appointed as senior special assistant on media to Governor Ademola Adeleke, works with OSBC as a state correspondent.

When this reporter attempted to ask another question about the issue, Mrs. Igbaroola claimed that she had a meeting with the Head of Service and asked to be contacted again in the next two hours. Three hours later, this reporter called her four times, but she did not return the calls. As of the time of filing this report, Mrs. Igbaroola has not returned calls or replied to messages.

Reacting to the development, Mallam Rasheed Olawale, the Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, told WITHIN NIGERIA that Tijani Adekilekun has taken leave of absence from the OSBC, and his application has been approved, submitted, and documented since.

“His salary from the OSBC has been stopped, and he is already taking a salary from the state government. All public service requirements were complied with by the state government and her agency, the OSBC,” he added.

Source: Within Nigeria