Ogun State Deputy Governor, Segun Adesegun, has thrown a jab at Governor Ibikunle Amosun through a letter in which he detailed alleged injustices against his person and his office. The letter dated October 24, 2014 confirmed speculations in the Government House that all is not well with two topmost public office holders in the All Progressives Congress state. The state government denied knowledge of the letter. In the 10-paragraph letter obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday, Adesegun accused Amosun, among other things, of starving his office of funds and allocation of old vehicles to his office.
He claimed that the governor had failed to deliver on his promise that he “would enjoy his tenure as the deputy governor while contesting the governorship election in 2011 under the(defunct) Action Congress of Nigeria.” Adesegun added in the letter he addressed to the governor that even his September and October feeding and out-of-pocket and sundry allowances had yet to be paid.
The letter
The deputy governor said, “My governor, as I am writing to you, the feeding and out-of-pocket allowance of the deputy governor for the months of September and October 2014, as well as the monthly sundry expenses for the months of September and October 2014 are yet to be paid.”
Adesegun claimed during this year’s Eid-el-Kabir and Eid al-Fitr festivals, funds were released to government functionaries except him and his aides.
He said, “Last year, in my letter to your good self on the affairs of the state, I concluded by reminding you that at a meeting held in February, 2011 at Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye’s house, while you were the governorship candidate of the ACN, you called me aside and promised me that I will enjoy my tenure as your deputy but since then I have not felt the benefit.
“I write to say that rather than improving, the situation is worse.’’
Adesegun also alleged that seven months ago, electricity supply to his official residence was cut off “because the state government owed the then Power Holding Company of Nigeria.”
He said he had had to spend an average of N30,000 daily on diesel to provide electricity for his residence.
The deputy governor wondered why his lodge was not initially connected to the state mini-power plant even “when it is on record that several government premises, including private residences and organisations enjoy power supply from the plant.’’
He said, “I informed you personally (and severally) during the State Executive Council meetings, requesting necessary action from the appropriate quarters. Up till now, I am still living in darkness.
“Of course, your Excellency knows that till date, I remain the deputy governor in Nigeria without a portfolio, in spite of entreaties made to you from various quarters. Worse, several attempts made by me for the office of the deputy governor were rebuffed by your good self. And I keep wondering why this is so.”
Adesegun also alleged that while the July 2014 monthly running costs of ministries, departments and agencies in Ogun State were duly paid, that of his office was withheld.
He added, “Another very relevant issue is my official car. The engine knocked in December last year. Your Excellency will recollect that you were formerly using the car and that it was when you rejected it that it was transferred to me. So, when it had problems, I thought you will appreciate and understand my plight, rather you ignored me.
“I had cause to remind you many times, but nothing was done. I resorted to using my personal car as back-up even when I was aware that you were giving vehicles, including Custom-made bulletproof vehicles to others. It was when a Good Samaritan bought a Tundra Truck for me that you deemed it fit to send a Toyota Prado XL V4 engine to me in late August.
“My convoy of old vehicles break down intermittently when travelling. On numerous occasions, we have had cause to stop while on a journey to effect repairs on vehicles . Obviously, these vehicles are to be changed every two years under best practices, even when newly bought. These vehicles in my convoy were used by the last administration and transferred to me.
“Your Excellency may also note that the fund you approved for my vacation with some members of my immediate family and two aides in August 2014 is yet to be paid. Please recall that I discussed the vacation with your good self in May, and you graciously conceded that I should forward a memorandum in June, only for it to be approved in August.
“Despite your approval, the fund was not released. I made several spirited efforts to no avail. It got to a stage that I was being bounced between you and the Commissioner for Finance. I eventually proceeded on the leave without collecting a dime.
“I am therefore constrained to ask if the non-payment of these allowances is as a result of the state government not being able to meet her financial commitments. Or is the state financially bankrupt that it cannot meet its responsibilities.
Adesegun asked the governor to fear God and ended his letter with a warning : Amosun’s second term bid may fail.
He said, “Your Excellency, while writing this letter, my thoughts race to my university days in Ile-Ife, Osun State where I joined a group of bikers travelling around the country out of youthful exuberance.
“During this period, one of my pastimes was reading inscriptions on cars and buses to amuse myself. In 1978, I witnessed a fatal accident near a big tree at Alakia Junction in Ibadan on the way to Ile-Ife involving a white Peugeot 504 station wagon. Nearly everybody in the car died; shockingly there were several amulets hung over the car that had the word “I shall not return” boldly inscribed on both sides. Unfortunately, it did not return. I therefore conclude that we all must fear God.”
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information, Yusuf Olaniyonu, said he was not aware of the letter.
“I’m not aware. I don’t know anything about the letter,” he said.
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