Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and his apparent successor, Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke, have gone for each other’s jugulars over the properties and assets of the state.
The governor-elect had, in a release by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, alleged that the incumbent governor and his allies were planning to divert and loot government assets and public properties.
Adeleke alerted the general public to an alleged clandestine moves by Oyetola “to convert public properties to private ownership and bankrupt state finances ahead of change of government.”
However, Governor Oyetola, in his reaction, told the people of the state to ignore what he described as Adeleke’s fake lamentations and accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of falsehood and propaganda.
The state government, in a release by the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, described as untrue the allegation of diversion and looting of public assets leveled against the governor.
The spokesperson of the governor-elect, Mallam Olawale, had claimed in a full statement that his boss has been made aware of an alleged plan to pilfer the state assets and convert them into private properties.
“The attention of the Office of the Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been drawn to unwholesome criminal activities by some government functionaries and appointees under the watch of Governor Gboyega Oyetola directed towards pilfering of state assets, conversion of public assets into private ownership, illegal awards of licences and incurring of superfulous loans and expenditure.
“We have it on good authority that Osun state assets within the state, Kogi, Lagos, Abuja and outside the shore of the country are being tampered with for private acquisition.
“We have detailed reports of several properties currently being processed for ownership transfer, involving serving commissioners and top government officials, hence serious warning to those involved in the illegal deals.
“Emerging reports also indicate several shady conducts ongoing within the state Finance Ministry.
“Aside N17 billion loan allegedly taken by the governor to prosecute the lost election, we are inundated with credible reports of emergency contract awards, hurried processing of payments vouchers and a grand agenda to incurr further debt under the guise of project implementation.
“There is an elaborate plot to further bankrupt the state to complicate governance under the new administration.
“We want to use this medium to warn all those involved in this criminal endeavour to desist from these nefarious activities as we will hold everybody accountable for their conduct.
“Let it be known to the governor and his team that we have the complete records and inventory of Osun state assets. We are in possession of records of what was handed over to the governor by his predecessor as well as true state of Osun finance and properties.
“Therefore, we put on notice that any attempt to divert state properties and muddle up Osun finances will be visited with full measure of accountability.
“Every government official from top to bottom will be called to account for their deeds and handling of government’s assets.
“We specifically warn bureaucrats to safeguard their career by refusing to collaborate with any appointed and elected officials engaging in such criminal conduct.
“We also wish to alert the public on this subject matter. Let the public be aware that our common patrimony is being tampered with by an administration they just voted out of office.
“We promise to follow this matter closely and ensure that Osun assets remain secure and protected for the benefits of the public.”
The governor-elect therefore urged the public to report any such criminal activities in respect of the alleged “dastardly plan by Governor Oyetola and some of his officials.”
Firing back, however, Egbemode accused the PDP of peddling lies and propaganda just to curry underserved sympathy of members of the public.
She said Governor Adegboyega Oyetola does not have a background of pilfering or misappropriating funds, adding that the records are there for all to see and deduce from.
The Commissioner for Information said in a statement, titled “Osun PDP’s incurable penchant for falsehood, propaganda,” said: “We know where Senator Ademola Adeleke, the governor-elect, is coming from.
“The world also knows the antecedent of the incumbent governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, the hardworking leader, who has served the people of Osun State meritoriously.
“He does not have the background of pilfering or misappropriating funds. The records are there for verification.”
“We have seen the press statement that is in circulation from the camp of Senator Ademola Adeleke, poisoning the public with lies and raising false alarms just to heat up the polity, of the state, as is their practice.
“We did not take any N17 billion loan to prosecute the election, just as no government official has embarked on any looting or diversion of any government assets/property as being claimed by the PDP.
“Those who are suddenly realising the enormity of governing a state like Osun should own up to their fears rather than making laughable allegations.
“Oyetola has creatively managed the assets of the state in the last three-and-a-half years and has picked all the bills of the state without taking loans. Why would he start taking loans at this time?
“Oyetola’s government remains a responsible one that has discharged its duties meritoriously, to the admiration of fellow governors, including those in the opposition.
“It is time for Mr. Adeleke to tell the people how he intends to govern them, rather than trying to blame everyone but himself for his fears.
“Given his admiration for his newly-learnt expression, “fact check”, we extend a call to Mr. Adeleke to show evidence of pilfering or looting to the people of Osun to prove that he is a man whose words have atoms of believability.
“Governor Oyetola already has a reputation. Mr. Adeleke is the one trying to build one for himself. It is a more strategic option to build in silence.
“We are calling on the people of Osun to ignore the fake lamentations of the incurable propagandists. Governor Oyetola has done well thus far and he will continue to do right by the people.”
