Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his former Deputy, Agboola Ajajy, are currently embroiled in a battle over government vehicles that the former number two man in the state has refused to surrender.
Akeredolu has threatened to embarrass Ajayi if he continues to hold on to vehicles that he used when he served as the Ondo’s Deputy governor.
“He has no right to steal if we want to use the proper name. Why does the former Deputy Governor think he merits those vehicles and others do not?” Akeredolu’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, said to the former Deputy governor.
Adebowale said it smacked of irresponsibility for Nigerians to condone the practice by elected officials or political appointees to take government property away when leaving office.
“Those vehicles are public property. We have to stop this impunity. It is not only the Deputy Governor alone but all other political appointees. This madness must stop,” the governor’s aide thundered.
Ajayi, on his part, has refused to budge. He has insisted that the vehicles with him are his entitlement as a former deputy governor.
Also speaking through his media aide, Allen Sowore, Agboola has argued that he returned all the government vehicles in his possession when his tenure ended, except the two vehicles, a Land Cruiser and a Hilux Jeep.
Sowore declared that Agboola is entitled to those two vehicles, just like other former deputy governors in the state.
“One of the vehicles being demanded was at a mechanic workshop in Okitipupa while the other was still with the dealer because full payment has not been made,” he explained.
Ajayi’s spokesman said Akeredolu should be “prepared not to take any government vehicle at the end of his tenure if he (Agboola) is made to return the two vehicles.
“The former Deputy Governor has joined senior citizens in this state. He should be accorded such respect. On February 23rd when his tenure ended, civil servants came and collect all government vehicles except a Land Cruiser and Hilux jeep which are part of his statutory benefit.
“He is to go home with those two vehicles. He is not holding onto any government vehicles. All other former Deputy Governors in this state are using government vehicles. Nobody should because of politics use indecent language on the former Deputy Governor. Agboola said “Let the police invite him. He will explain himself. He is not afraid. One of the other two vehicles had an accident. It is at Okitipupa while the dealer is yet to deliver the second one.”
Akeredolu explained that five years ago when he was sworn-in, did not buy new vehicles, but refurbished the ones used by Dr Olusegun Mimiko. On that premise, he threatened to unleashed security agencies on former political office holders, including Ajayi, who have refused to return government property in their possession.
“So they want to take the vehicles away and then we will use taxpayers’ money to buy new ones. There are many of them yet to return vehicles. Some have returned but others are still feigning they thought they will be reappointed,” Akeredolu said.