Oyetola, Adeleke aides fight over govt house

…Allegation mere diversionary tactic – Oyetola

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

Barely two weeks after accusing the immediate past Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola administration of stealing government property in Osun, the Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that Oyetola and his men had looted public properties at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

The Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed in a press statement released on Monday alleged that the past administration illegally removed valuable items such as television sets, chairs, foams, electrical fittings, bed sheets, spoons and cutleries, among others, from the lodge.

The statement read, “The Osun State Government is constrained to report yet another discovery of mindless looting of public properties at the Governor’s lodge in Abuja.

“The unprecedented pillaging of assets in the lodge was uncovered when a physical inspection was conducted on the facility during the weekend.

“On the physical inspection team was the Chairman of State Assets Inventory and Recovery Committee, Dr B.T Salam and other top government functionaries.

“From the main house to the service flats and up to the boys quarters, clear indications of valuables removed can be observed. Items such as television sets, chairs, foams, electrical fittings, bed sheets, spoons and cutleries, among other valuables were illegally removed from the lodge.

“Every utility vehicle procured for use in the lodge was also carted away from the building. The lodge was in a terrible state and similar to the way we found the Deputy Governor’s quarters and others at the Government House in Osogbo following the brazen looting of that facility.

“We are shocked by this lust for materialism as evidenced in the unexplained pilfering of public properties by officials of the past administration. Civil servants in the Abuja lodge confirmed the pillaging of state’s asset by Mr Oyetola’s men but said they were powerless in stopping them.

“That this happened in the Federal Capital Territory is another peep into the gross abuse of office and by officials of the past administration. Those who think we were playing politics with the revelation only just need to see the level of theft of public assets that we found on ground.

“This matter, just like those before it, is being looked into by the Assets Inventory and Recovery Committee and we want to assure the public of this government’s firm resolve to recover every stolen assets. We want to call on whoever is in possession of public properties to return them forthwith. The Assets recovery committee is working round the clock to track and recover all looted assets.”

However, the immediate past Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola described the Osun Lodge in Abuja looted claimed by the Adeleke led government as a mere diversionary tactic by the governor to cover up his unpreparedness to govern Osun.

Oyetola, in a statement by his Media aide Ismail Omipidan, said the Governor’s constant accusations while the panels were still sitting are indications that the panels were set up to do hatchet jobs.

Omipidan asked, “If a panel on Assets Recovery has been set up, why not allow the panel do its job and then present their findings? You promised to invite people to appear before the panel. You have not heard from them, yet you are passing judgement already. What’s the essence of the panel since you already know the outcomes?

“Recall that when he inaugurated his transition committee in July, one of the terms of reference of the committee was to design for the Governor what he would do within his first 100 days in office. And I said clearly then that these people were not ready for governance. We all can see now. It is manifesting.

“First, they alleged it was my Principal who looted. I came up with the inventory and the fact that the new governor’s security operatives took charge of the Government House on November 26 and that by 27, which was the inauguration day, they held a party there. But by December 1, they came up with a lie to say the place was looted. Till date, they have not controverted the facts I laid bare.

“Today, they have started another lie. I say for the umpteenth time that my Principal did not loot any State asset. Therefore, this government should stop these blanket statements of accusing Oyetola and his men of what they did not do and face governance,” Omipidan added.