A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iwo Federal Constituency, Engr. Akeem Adelani Alamu (Ijala), has called on Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to caution lawyer and public affairs commentator, Pelumi Olajengbesi, over recent political comments involving Omooba Dotun Babayemi.
Alamu made the call in a statement issued on Sunday, expressing concern over what he described as the repeated association of Babayemi with political narratives without his consent.
The APC stalwart stated that his position was not motivated by hostility towards the Adeleke political family, noting that he was among those who supported the election of Senator Nurudeen Adeleke during his senatorial contest in Iwoland.
According to him, political engagements should be conducted with honesty, mutual respect and decorum, stressing that no individual should presume the authority to speak on behalf of Babayemi or suggest that his political decisions have been made without his direct declaration.
Alamu described Babayemi as a respected political leader with the capacity to determine and publicly announce his political direction whenever he chooses to do so.
He argued that the continued use of Babayemi’s name for political propaganda could mislead members of the public and create unnecessary political controversy.
The APC chieftain maintained that political competition should focus on issues, performance and ideas rather than the unauthorised use of the reputation and goodwill of political leaders.
He therefore appealed to Governor Adeleke, as the leader of his party and the state’s Chief Executive, to call Olajengbesi and others involved in such conduct to order in the interest of political decency and public trust.
Alamu further urged political actors to promote their parties and candidates based on merit, while allowing leaders such as Babayemi to speak for themselves on matters relating to their political future.
He added that Osun State deserves a political atmosphere founded on truth, respect and responsible communication.
The statement reads, “Recent political statements credited to Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi have become a source of concern to many stakeholders in Osun State, particularly those of us who have closely followed the political journey and leadership style of Omooba Dotun Babayemi.
“As a matter of fact, I was among the political actors who worked tirelessly in Iwoland to support the election of Senator Nurudeen Adeleke during his senatorial contest. Therefore, my position on issues concerning the Adeleke political family is not borne out of hostility but from a sincere desire to see political engagements conducted with honesty, decorum, and mutual respect.
“It is against this backdrop that I respectfully call on Governor Ademola Adeleke to caution Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi and other individuals who continue to drag the name of Omooba Dotun Babayemi into unnecessary political narratives.
“Omooba Dotun Babayemi is a respected political leader with the capacity and freedom to make his own political decisions and public declarations. No individual should arrogate to himself the authority to speak on his behalf or create the impression that his political position has been determined without his explicit pronouncement.
“The continuous use of Omooba Dotun Babayemi’s name for political propaganda is not only unfair to his person but also capable of misleading members of the public. Political competition should be based on issues, performance, and ideas rather than the unauthorized appropriation of the reputation and goodwill of respected leaders.
“I therefore appeal to Governor Ademola Adeleke, as the leader of his party and the Chief Executive of Osun State, to call Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi and others involved in this conduct to order in the interest of political decency and public trust.
“Let political actors market their parties and candidates on their merits. Let respected leaders such as Omooba Dotun Babayemi be allowed to speak for themselves whenever they deem it necessary.
“Osun State deserves a political environment built on truth, respect, and responsible communication.”