TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun says it is not true that Gboyega Oyetola, former governor of the state, and his appointees took official vehicles worth N2.9 billion when leaving office.

An asset recovery panel set up by the Osun state government had asked the former governor and his deputy to return some vehicles.

In a statement, Kola Olabisi, the party’s spokesperson in the state, said some vehicles alleged to have been carted away by the former administration officials are already being used by the current deputy governor.

While wondering how the panel arrived at N2.9 billion as the total value of the vehicles, Olabisi said the former governor and his appointees enjoy some privileges which make them entitled to their official vehicles.

“How did they come about the cost? Are they using the current market value or how? Talking about this particular panel, have they concluded their sitting? When was their report submitted?” he asked.

“We asked these questions because only two days ago, the governor was quoted to have said any of the former political appointees that want their November salary should return the vehicle in their custody.

“Or is that also part of the recommendations of the panel? For clarity sake, the former governor and his deputy, by law and convention, are entitled to certain privileges and these are well-documented.

“Apart from those vehicles which their offices permit them to take home, they never took any other item.

“As for the commissioners and other appointees who are also statutorily entitled, the governor formally approved their used official vehicles to them as a gift for their meritorious service to the state since they are not entitled to either pension or gratuity.

“It is also important to point out that this gesture is not limited to political appointees alone, as in the past, career officers had also been allowed to go home with their used vehicles as gifts on retirement for serving the state meritoriously.”