The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent appointments of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) for Government House Pool and Oranmiyan New Town.

These appointments have sparked public discourse, with critics saying the appointments indicate misuse of public funds by the governor.

Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said in a statement said that the state government is aware that there appears to be a lack of awareness about the functions of the SSAs.

Rasheed said that both roles were initially established during the tenure of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the state’s former ruling party, stating that these appointments were essential and far from being frivolous, as some critics had labelled them.

On the appointment of an SSA for the Government House Pool, he explained that this referred to the transportation unit of the Government House, which had been operational for over twelve years under previous APC administrations.

“Members of the public are aware that there are hundreds of drivers and vehicles (both old and new) in the Government House. In the interest of sustainable management of those assets, an SSA is appointed to coordinate and even oversee activities and operations in that sector,” Rasheed said.

Also speaking on the appointment of SSA for Oranmiyan New Town, Rasheed said that this initiative stemmed from a diaspora estate programme introduced by APC, leading to the establishment of a new community named Oranmiyan New Town.

He added that the newly appointed SSA for Oranmiyan Town is entrusted with the responsibility of achieving government objectives in those areas, with a particular focus on safeguarding the investments of Diasporans.

The governor’s spokesman, however, stated that both appointments were essential and far from frivolous, as some critics had labelled them.

Rasheed noted that while the offices were inherited, Adeleke’s administration was committed to retaining what is good and discarding those that are bad.

He stated that the two appointed offices were crucial for the effective management and protection of both public and private assets.