– The Oyo state government has berated the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his recent comments
– The former governor had described the alarm raised by the incumbent government in Oyo on missing cars as a ‘minor issue’
– The Oyo government, however, insists that the vehicles were illegally taken away and not paid for by those involved
The Oyo state government on Monday, August 12, declared that the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi misrepresented facts as regards the vehicles carted away by operatives of his government.
The former governor, had while speaking to journalists on the occasion of this year’s Eid-il- Kabir celebration, described the alarm raised by the incumbent government in Oyo as a “minor issue,” adding that his aides paid for the vehicles they carted away.
But a statement by the chief press secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa indicated that the former governor mixed up the facts of the matter.
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Part of the statement read: “There should be no ambiguity about this issue of missing or stolen cars.
“The alarm raised by the government of Engineer Seyi Makinde on the unprecedented looting of official vehicles has nothing to do with cars that were legally sold or boarded to the different officials of the past administration.
“The vehicles we are concerned about are official cars carted away without legal instruments.
“Contrary to the statement of former Governor Ajimobi, many of the vehicles carted away illegally are new and in working conditions.
“You cannot possibly classify a vehicle procured in February of this year as an old car just a few months after it was purchased.”
The statement added that Oyo state government has no issue with vehicles properly bought by past officials.
It indicated that issues were raised on vehicles given out by the past administration as “parting gifts.”
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The statement further added that the illegally taken away vehicles were not paid for by those involved.
“That is why a number of the vehicles have so far been retrieved.
“We must put on record that taking away government property is really a sad development in the annals of public accountability,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has felicitated with Muslims on the celebration of the 2019 Eid-el-Kabir, urging them to imbibe the virtues of Prophet Ibrahim.
Governor Makinde stated these in a Sallah message signed by Adisa.
“The significance of the season should be beyond the festivities. The real essence is to encourage piety, total commitment to Allah, self-discipline and sacrifice,” the governor said.
