Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, has cried out that his boss, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has made him redundant and starved him of funds and other perks of office.
The deputy governor warned that the governor may lose his re-election bid in 2015
He gave the warning in a letter he wrote complaining that Amosun has sidelined him. The letter dated 24 October, 2014, detailed the alleged injustice the governor meted out to him and concluded that Amosun’s second term bid may fail.
The letter confirmed speculations in the Government House that all is not well with Amosun and Adesegun, both members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
In the 10-paragraph letter, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abeokuta Wednesday morning, the deputy governor accused his boss of starving his office of funds and allocation of old vehicles to his office, among other things.
Adesegun added in the letter that his September and October feeding and out-of-pocket and sundry allowances had not been paid.
He claimed that the governor had failed to deliver on his promise. “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 claimed.
He also wrote in the letter that during this year’s Eid-el-Kabir and Eid al-Fitr festivals, funds were released to government functionaries except him and his aides.
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. Adesegun 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. 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 to 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.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.
He further alleged that “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?”