Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke’s account of how he obtained a vehicle, insisting that the car was not given to him personally by the governor.
The clarification followed Adeleke’s claim that Oyinlola received a vehicle from him before throwing his support behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the August 15 governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji.
Oyinlola said the vehicle was supplied by the Osun State Government in line with an existing law governing the benefits available to former governors.
He explained that the legislation, passed by the Osun State House of Assembly, provides for the replacement of official vehicles belonging to former governors every four years.
The former governor argued that the arrangement therefore predates Adeleke’s involvement and should not be interpreted as a personal favour or political inducement.
Oyinlola, who has been out of office for 16 years, said the entitlement would have accumulated over the years, resulting in multiple vehicle replacements.
He also explained that the same legal framework provides other support for former governors, including security personnel, drivers and a cook.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Oyinlola said:
“That is far from the truth and it is a bad development that a governor will continue to tell lies.
“It wasn’t Ademola that gave me vehicle. It was the Osun State Government; it is a law of the state enacted by the House of Assembly.
“I’ve been out of Osun State government since the last 16 years. If you aggregate it, it means the state is still having to give up three vehicles.
“There are other things, like my security should be taken care of. The police should be paid for, the cook should be taken care of and the drivers. Those are the requisite of that enactment.”
