Premium Times
The Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, has reportedly appointed the wife of the Attorney-General of the state, Oyinkansola Akande, as a Special Assistant in the office of her husband, Femi Akande.
This development has triggered controversy among cabinet members who suggest that the action depicts nepotism and could be a breach of oath of office.
Many within and outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have wondered why Mrs Akande would be on the payroll of the government as her husband.
Mr Akande is the son of a leader of the APC and former governor of the state, Bisi Akande.
A close ally of the governor confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES Sunday that the appointment was, indeed, made.
A governor’s approval
On February 4, 2020, the state government in a letter by the secretary to the state government, Oluwole Oyebamiji, communicated Mrs Akande’s appointment to her in a letter marked SS/EX/02/VOL.195.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has approved your appointment as Personal Assistant to the Attoney-General and Hon. Commissioner for Justice with effect from 24 October, 2019.
“While congratulating you on this well-deserved appointment, the State Government counts much on you that this elevation would enhance your performance with a view to moving the State of Osun to greater heights.
“Congratulations and best wishes for a fruitful tenure of office,” the appointment letter read.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources in the government house that Mrs Akande has been acting as personal assistant to her husband even before the appointment was formalized.
Letter leaked
The appointment letter reportedly got leaked in early 2021 and has triggered a lot of controversies among cabinet members.
“We discovered this in late 2020 and called the attention of the governor to it that it amounts to nepotism to have the wife of the Attorney-General serving as his personal assistant under the same government.
“You will agree with me that having accountability in such ministry would be difficult to achieve,” a cabinet member who is familiar with the matter, told PREMIUM TIMES.
Another source, a special adviser to Mr Oyetola who requested anonymity, confided in PREMIUM TIMES that “the governor claimed ignorant of the appointment when the issue was raised but there was evidence that the woman got appointment letter. This development has really caused disquiet among stakeholders.”
Appointment withdrawn
PREMIUM TIMES reached out to different allies of Mr Oyetola and members of the ministry of justice who confirmed to our correspondent that “truly Mrs Akande was appointed personal assistant to her husband and she served in the capacity.”
The sources ,who did not want their name in print because of fear of victimization,told this newspaper that the Attorney-General’s wife also had an office where she works as an assistant to her husband.
