Ömer Çelik responds to Özel over 'governor' remarks
AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik condemned Özgür Özel's remarks regarding Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, labeling them as a "language of threat."
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AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik responded on his social media account to statements made by YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel regarding Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. Criticizing Özel's tone, Çelik argued that public officials are being made targets of political settling of scores.
In his post, Çelik claimed that Özel has issues with "political decorum" and stated, "We strongly condemn his inappropriate tone, which targets the offices of our state and openly threatens our administrative officials. We invite him to observe political decorum."
Reacting to Özel's words, "The day will come, they will be held accountable," Çelik stated that making governors, district governors, and administrative staff "targets of political settling of scores" is incompatible with democratic culture.
Çelik described Istanbul Governor Davut Gül as an "experienced and capable administrator." Stating that other public administrators also perform their duties within the legal framework, Çelik said, "They all serve the nation and the state, not political parties."
In the continuation of his statement, the AKP spokesperson included the following remarks: "This revanchist mentality, which threatens our public officials by wagging its finger at them, has a criminal record of implementing the most toxic practices in our Republican history. We will never allow this mentality to prevail."
The controversy began following Özel's speech at the "The Decision is the Nation's, Üsküdar is the Nation's" gathering held at Üsküdar Pier Square on September 12. Özel criticized Istanbul Governor Gül's actions during the election process, alleging that the governorship did not act impartially.
In his speech, Özel had said, "I have no words for the district governors and governors in Turkey who perform their duties with loyalty to the state. But the day will come, the tide will turn. The axe will turn, the handle will turn. Those who act as the provincial branch of the AK Party will be held accountable on that day."