Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke’s claim that he requested and received a new vehicle from him before endorsing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Oyinlola described the allegation as untrue, insisting that the vehicle he received was provided by the Osun State Government as part of the statutory benefits due to former governors.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Oyinlola said Adeleke’s claim was misleading and criticised the governor for allegedly misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the vehicle.
“That is far from the truth and it is a bad development that a governor will continue to tell lies,” Oyinlola said.
According to him, the Osun State House of Assembly enacted legislation prescribing benefits for former governors, including the replacement of their official vehicles every four years.
He explained that the vehicle was therefore not a personal gift from Adeleke but an entitlement provided for under state law.
“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,” he said.
Oyinlola, who left office 16 years ago, said the statutory provision meant that vehicles due for replacement during the period he had been out of office had accumulated.
“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,” he said.
He added that the law provides other benefits for former governors, including security personnel and domestic staff.
“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,” Oyinlola said.
The former governor’s comments come amid heightened political activity in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with Adeleke seeking re-election and Oyebamiji representing the APC.
Oyinlola had earlier declared his support for Oyebamiji, a decision that has drawn political attention in the state.
