For a second time in five days, the Senator Ademola Adeleke-led Osun State Government is locking horns with former Governor of the State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola over looting of another government’s property.
This time, the current administration is accusing the immediate past government of looting the official Lodge of the government in Abuja, the nation’s capital, carting away all valuable items including cars.
According to a statement by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, a panel set up by the Governor visited the lodge and found out that it has been emptied.
He said, “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 vehicles 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.”
Rasheed said the matter wil be looked into by the panel constituted by Adeleke.
Reacting to the allegations, media aide to Oyetola, Mr Ismail Omipidan described the allegation by the incumbent Governor as an attempt to cover up its ‘unpreparedness’ for the task ahead.
He said the Governor has jumped into conclusion, even after the panel set up to probe the alleged looting have not commenced investigation. He stated that activities in the State in the last two weeks are vindication of his earlier positions.
“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?” Omipidan asked.
“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.”
Oyetola’s aide reiterated that his Principal did not loot any of the government’s properties.
Recall that Adeleke and his predecessor last week traded words over looting of government house in Osogbo. This was coming days after the current administration accused immediate past Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi of looting the official residence of number two person before leaving.
