Osun vehicle: Adeleke should study handover notes, says Oyetola’s aide

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

The Media Aide to Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, former Governor of Osun State, Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday said the decision by his principal to approve the release of vehicles to public officials who served in his administration is by the law and convention.

He advised the governor to take his time to study the handover notes and acquaint himself with past records of happenings of administrations before that of Oyetola to be guided appropriately.

Omipidan maintained that there is an existing law in the State duly passed by the State House of Assembly, adding that the former governor’s action on the access to the used vehicles by him, his deputy, and other public officials was guided by the existing law.

He said contrary to the claim by the Osun government, Oyetola does not have 11 vehicles, insisting that the used vehicles he left with were not only properly documented but were done in line with the extant law and best practices.

Omipidan insisted that the Osun governor’s spokesperson’s release on the alleged carting away of government vehicles was full of lies and misinformation, deliberately put together to malign the person and character of his principal.

He wondered how he came about the value of N2.9 billion as the total worth of the used vehicles, insisting that the amount is unrealistic, misleading, and false, therefore, it cannot represent the true value of the used vehicles. Besides, several of the vehicles they alleged were carted away are still in the possession of the State Government as of today.

“For instance, the vehicles listed against Amotekun were the same vehicles being used in the current administration. Yet, they said they are looking for the same vehicles. Three of the vehicles they claim are with the former deputy governor are already being used by the current deputy governor.

“The used vehicles that were approved for release to all the public officials who were statutorily entitled were done by the law, convention, and practice as was done by past administrations. The gesture is usually done to appreciate these public officials for serving the State meritoriously since they are not entitled to pension and gratuity.

“Therefore, releasing the vehicles is a discretionary power within the governor’s executive power.

“The current deputy governor, the SSG, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, and the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kasim Akinleye were all beneficiaries of similar gestures in the past as they left with their used vehicles when they served as chairmen of their various councils under the PDP administration. This gesture is enjoyed by both the judicial and the legislative arms of government as well,” he added.