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 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.