Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed demands by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the resignation of his Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, describing the call as a “melancholic tantrum.”

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Saturday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke said the opposition’s demand reflects frustration over its declining political influence.

The APC had on Friday called for Akinleye’s resignation, citing alleged links to a reported N13.7 billion payroll fraud controversy—claims which the governor’s office strongly rejected.

Rasheed stated that Akinleye is an efficient Chief of Staff to a multiple award-winning governor, highlighting his competence and significant contributions to the administration’s achievements, both nationally and internationally.

“As head of staff in the Governor’s Office, Akinleye has shown acute mastery of governance processes and served as a consensus builder committed to due process,” Rasheed said. “He is widely recognized as a man of vision who resists any attempt to derail the delivery of good governance in Osun State.”

The spokesperson further noted that Akinleye has acted as a strong gatekeeper in state affairs, ensuring that the state was not defrauded in dealings involving Sally Tibbot, and that his reputation for integrity remains unshaken.

Rasheed also highlighted that Governor Adeleke currently enjoys an approval rating of over 80 percent, contrasting with a disapproval rate exceeding 85 percent for the APC in the state. He added, “The tantrums from Osun APC are understandable. Where the opposition failed, the governor succeeded bountifully,” and attributed the party’s challenges to its past governance record and handling of local government funds.