Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke’s claim that he provided him with a vehicle, saying the car was an entitlement granted to former governors under state law.
Oyinlola spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, days after withdrawing his support for Adeleke’s re-election and endorsing the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
The former governor described Adeleke’s claim as inaccurate and said vehicles given to former governors were provided by the Osun State Government under legislation passed by the state House of Assembly.
“It wasn’t Ademola that gave me the vehicle; it was the Osun State Government. It is a law of the state enacted by the House of Assembly.”
Oyinlola says Adeleke still owes him three vehicles
Oyinlola explained that the law provides for a former governor’s official vehicle to be replaced every four years.
Having been out of government for about 16 years, he argued that he remained entitled to three more vehicles under the provision.
“It is my entitlement, and he still owes me three more vehicles.”
He also said the law provides other benefits for former governors, including security personnel, drivers and a cook.
Oyinlola dismissed the suggestion that he had approached Adeleke to request a vehicle, saying he had been buying cars since he was 21 and had no reason to beg for one.
“So, how will he paint it as if I went to beg? That is a sad development.”
Disagreement deepens ahead of Osun election
The dispute followed Oyinlola’s decision to back APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, despite previously supporting Adeleke’s bid for another term.
Adeleke had criticised the former governor at a town hall event, accusing him of opposing his political ambitions on several occasions before later seeking reconciliation after Adeleke became governor.
The governor also claimed that Oyinlola had complained about not having a vehicle and that he responded by providing one.
Oyinlola, however, said his decision to support Oyebamiji was driven by concerns about what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in Adeleke’s administration.
He announced on Sunday that he and other PDP stakeholders would support Oyebamiji while maintaining that he remains a member of the PDP.
The Osun governorship election holds on Saturday, August 15, with 15 candidates on the ballot across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Source: Channels Television’s Politics Today; statements by Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ademola Adeleke.
