The Osun State Government has acceded to the seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by Hon. Oluwole Oke, Member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, following mounting public pressure and growing concerns over the political cost of inaction.
Recall that Hon. Oke had, in a widely circulated press release dated January 14, 2026, issued a clear ultimatum to the Ademola Adeleke-led administration over the stalled recruitment of secondary school teachers and the continued retention of application fees collected from thousands of applicants nearly two years ago.
In that release, the federal lawmaker laid down specific conditions, demanding that within seven days, the Osun State Government must either:
Immediately commence and conclude the recruitment of qualified secondary school teachers, reinstate teachers disengaged by the current administration, and deploy them fairly alongside newly qualified applicants; or Refund in full all application fees collected from applicants and reinstate teachers employed by the previous administration, with proper deployment alongside new entrants.
He further warned that failure to comply would compel affected citizens and stakeholders to seek redress through all lawful means.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has directed the Commissioner for Education,Hon. Dipo Eluwole to issue letters of appointment to the first batch of newly recruited teachers in the state.
PeakNews investigations confirm that the state government’s decision to act followed intense public outrage, sustained media scrutiny, and rising anxiety within government circles over the electoral implications of ignoring thousands of aggrieved applicants and their families across the state.
Political observers note that the administration’s response was less a voluntary show of compassion and more a reaction to public pressure and the looming threat of voter backlash ahead of future polls.
Hon. Oke had also drawn a clear legal line on the recruitment of primary school teachers, stating unequivocally that such responsibility lies solely with the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs). He described the collection of application fees for primary school teaching jobs by any other body as illegal, insisting that such monies must be refunded without delay.
That position further cornered the state government, as legal experts and civil society groups echoed his stance, intensifying scrutiny on the Adeleke administration.
Governance analysts say the episode underscores the effectiveness of firm legislative oversight and public advocacy, particularly when backed by clear conditions, legal clarity, and popular support.
As the dust settles, many Osun residents are watching closely to see whether the government’s compliance will be full, transparent, and sustained or merely a tactical retreat driven by fear of political consequences.
For now, one thing is clear: Hon. Oluwole Oke’s ultimatum forced action, and the Osun State Government blinked under pressure.
