Elder Atidade: Truth is its own defence.

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Osun State, on Friday reacted to the recent utterances of the State Deputy Chairman of the party, Elder Sunday Akanfe Atidade and his persistent denials of his actions on the relocation of Osun PDP Secretariat out of the private property of the Adeleke University Liaison office, describing them as appalling, embarrassing and immature in contents and intents.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued and made available to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, by the party’s Vice Chairman from Osun East Senatorial District, Barrister Wale Ojo.

The statement said it was unfortunate that Elder Atidade who initiated the decision of the State Working and Executive Committee to move out of the property could turn round to allege that Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo, who was compelled to step-aside when some members jointly decided to avoid a situation where an interested party would be the landlord of the party.

Advertisement

According to the statement: “it was Elder Atidade that led the members to a series of meetings in Osogbo, Ibadan and Akure which gave the mandate to raise fund, negotiate with the owners of King’s Square, and immediately paid the rent.

“We are shocked and disturbed seeing Elder Atidade accusing Hon. Adagunodo of masterminding the relocation of the office out of the former secretariat when indeed he was the one who broke the news of the purchase of the property by the Adeleke family. Then, he did confirm that the property will be renovated to serve as the Adeleke University Liaison office.

“At that meeting, Elder Atidade reminded members of similar situations during the era of the late Chief Layi Ogunrinade and Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa when the Party had to move its secretariat because the owners, Dr Olu Alabi and Senator Iyiola Omisore signified their intentions to contest for governorship of the state under the banner of our Party.

“In the absence of the Chairman and in acting capacity too, Elder Atidade chaired no fewer than three meetings and was a party to the resolution to meet with the leaders of our Party to solicit funds for the purpose of the relocation of the secretariat.

“The amount that was raised, some of which were paid to his private account is well documented and also known to the Deputy Chairman himself. He also took sitting allowance for all the meetings held at that time.”

The statement said further that, “even though truth is its own defence and one cannot rule out the possibility that some overzealous characters are behind the latest statement of elder Atidade on the secretariat, “it is important to tell the Deputy Chairman and his handlers to stop playing to the gallery and making mockery of our collective efforts.”

“Pointing accusing fingers to the Chairman over the action that he personally initiated is atrocious. To be more specific, the little delay we had in settling the present occupiers of a portion of the King’s Square building was responsible for our not moving in on time before the High Court sitting in Ikirun reinstated the chairman, Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo.

“Enough of falsehoods, inhumane accusation and blackmail which do not dignify our great Party and also questions the integrity of all of us that were in agreement with the relocation and outright payment of the rent.

“As an established leader, if someone is arm-twisting Elder Atidade and setting him up against his own action, he should be firm enough to let them know that it is already too late to backtrack and deny his evidence backed involvement in the undertaking which he initiated and implemented during his short-lived moment as the acting chairman of the party,” the statement concluded.