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.