Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta

Ibikunle Amosun: rattled by deputy’s open letter

The camp of the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun has been reacting to the letter written to the governor by his estranged deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun in which he revealed his maltreatment by his boss.

The strained relationship began before the 2011 election: Adesegun was forced on Amosun by the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria. The governor wanted Mrs. Elizabeth Sokunbi, his running mate h when he ran as governor under the banner of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. Sonubi, is now the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.

Adesegun’s letter dated 24,October, 2014 confirmed speculations in the state that all is not well with the two topmost public office
holders in the All Progressives Congress.

Many political appointees in the State were of the view that the crisis which has been papered over before today may spell doom for the party in 2015 if not well managed.

Others lambasted the deputy governor for his action, questioning his motive, for going public at this present time.

The deputy governor has from all indications already dumped the APC and has reportedly pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party, SDP and he may likely be given the governorship ticket of the new party in 2015.

Loyalists of Chief Olusegun Osoba who have been out of favour with Amosun in the State have been linked with many political parties before the die was cast on Monday when news filtered round the town that they have moved en masse to the SDP.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji (Barr.) Yussuph Olaniyonu declared that he has no knowledge about the letter and would not react to what he knows nothing about.

“I have told Punch when they contacted me that I don’t know anything about the letter and could not react to what I have no knowledge
about,’ Olaniyonu said.

Prince Segun Adesegun

Many of those who spoke with our correspondent anonymously, said that the deputy governor should not be causing distraction for the government, at this time

One of the Senior Special Assistants, SSA to the governor from Ogun East Senatorial District declared that the deputy governor is trying
to cause confusion within the area as he is seeking sympathy vote for his new party.

“I was told that they have all moved to SDP and he is the likely governorship candidate for the party, he is trying to use that letter
as a stepping stone to feel the pulse of the people about their love for him and probably has a sympathy vote through that come 2015.

“Let me tell you this, there is no going back on our decision to support the governor for his second term bid. It is not today that the
crisis started, it has been a long time palaver and he is now looking for a way out,” the SSA revealed.

Another top political office holder in the State who is a Chairman of one of the statutory boards maintained that no amount of intimidation, humiliation and blackmailing could stop the governor as all hands are on deck for his re-election back into office come 2015.

Some of the governor’s aides are of the opinion that the matter should not be treated with glove kids and called on the governor to react appropriately to the matter as it involves his ambition of coming back into the Oke Mosan office in 2015.

In the 10-paragraph letter, Prince Adesegun accused his boss of starving his office of funds and allocating old vehicles to his office. Adesegun added in the letter that his September and October feeding and out-of-pocket and sundry allowances have yet to be paid.

He claimed that the governor had failed to deliver on his promise to take care of his welfare.

“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.

“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.

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 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 was 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 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.

Adesegun concluded by asking the governor to fear God and ended his letter with a warning : Amosun’s second term bid may fail.