A non political group, Ila Concerned People in diaspora has advised Osun State government to stop the ongoing witch-hunting of indigenes of Ila-Orangun working in various institutions of government in the state.
The group said the advice becomes imperative following the removal of some indigenes of the town occupying critical positions in different institutions of government within the state before the coming on board of the current administration in the state.
Some indigenes of Ila-Orangun already removed from sensitive positions include Dr Isaac Babatunde who was in charge of O’Ambulance until recently.
Also, the former Bursar of the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, who is also an indigene of Ila-Orangun was said to have experienced serious persecution and high level witch-hunting towards the tail end of his tenure by the Chairman, Governing Council of the College, Mr Peter Babalola and some elements.
The group expressed worry on the replacement of Dr Babatunde with an Ede man, while the former Bursar of the College was replaced by an Ijesa man.
It was also gathered that the Governing Council of the College has connived with the State Ministry of Education to remove the Provost of the college, Prof Jimoh Atanda Afolabi who has only spent about two years in office.
The governing council, it was gathered was hiding under the pretence that the Provost of the College who hails from Ila-Orangun is incompetent.
The group bemoaned the attempts to remove the Provost and called on the State Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke to intervene in the matter before it is too late.
Besides, the group frowned at the taking away of medical equipment, belonging to the State Hospital, Ila-Orangun to Ede, stressing the need for justice and fairness in the affairs of the State.
The group alleged that the Chairman of the Governing Council of the College was planning to appoint an indigene of Ikire, his hometown or any member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the new Provost of the College.
In another dimension, it was reliably gathered that the Chairman of the governing council has penciled down some indigenes of Ila-Orangun as possible replacement for the Provost in an attempt to cover up for any likely effect and outcry that may emanate from his misdemeanor.
Those already penciled down, according to findings are Dr Philip kunle Bamigbala, Mr Lasisi Ayanda Jimoh, Dr Lai Oparinde and Mr Rabiu Iyanda.
The group therefore, called on Governor Adeleke and prominent traditional rulers in the State to caution Mr Peter Babalola and prevent the removal of the innocent and easy going Provost, “especially when our expectation of having an indigene of Ila-Orangun as the chairman of the Governing Council of the college has been jettisoned, despite being the norm and practice even during the APC days.”
“The questions that bother our minds are, is this what Ila-Orangun voted for? PDP won in Ila-Orangun during the last elections. Will this now be our reward in Ila-Orangun? We note that the Provost’s removal will be highly illegal and mere share witch-hunting, since he has not committed any offence or infraction unless one will be cooked against him.”
“We therefore, advise the state government, our amiable Governor and our respected House of Assembly to rule with the fear of God and not to play politics with people’s careers and lives, as being visibly noticed in the actions and activities of Mr Peter Babalola,” the group added.
Also, the group enjoined other members of the governing council to be exceptionally careful of being lured into the issue that they did not know its begining and reminded the PDP that tomorrow is greater than today.
“If APC ruled for 12 years in Osun State and the party is out of power today, PDP should also think of what can happen tomorrow,” it added.
