Daud Olatunji
The ongoing political tussle between Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has escalated, with fresh controversy surrounding the recent purchase of luxury vehicles for state lawmakers.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that there were no fewer than 26 members of the State House of Assembly.
Findings by PLATFORM TIMES revealed that Abiodun reportedly spent over N1.3 billion to acquire 2023 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for the 26 members of the Ogun State House of Assembly. He was, however, said to have left one lawmaker, a known loyalist of Yayi, without a vehicle.
According to findings by PLATFORM TIMES, the governor’s administration had not provided official vehicles to the lawmakers or funded constituency projects for the past five years.
However, in a sudden shift, Abiodun purchased the SUVs, each reportedly valued between ₦43.5 million and ₦50 million depending on the features. The move is seen as an attempt to appease the lawmakers after years of neglect.
While 23 lawmakers received the Toyota Fortuner 2023 models, the Speaker was reportedly given a Toyota Land Cruiser, while the Deputy Speaker was provided a different vehicle. However, one lawmaker, Adeyanju Adejoke Awoso, was denied his vehicle, allegedly due to his visible loyalty to Senator Adeola, a political rival of the governor.
When contacted, Awoso confirmed that he initially received the car key and documents, but they were later retrieved from him.
“I don’t know my offense,” Awoso said. “The rumor is that my attire, including my cap, shows my support for Yayi. However, I have not received any official explanation from the governor.”
Despite the exclusion of Awoso, the rest of the lawmakers have reportedly received their cars.
One lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed displeasure over Awoso’s exclusion, saying, “An injury to one is an injury to all. This is his statutory right, and no political differences should have interfered.”
The lawmaker further explained that similar gestures had been made in other states like Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Lagos, where lawmakers have received vehicles for official duties. However, he noted that constituency project allowances, which the lawmakers have been expecting for over a year, have yet to be disbursed by the governor, despite repeated promises.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Abiodun’s relationship with the State Assembly has been strained since the lawmakers allegedly failed to express adequate appreciation for the administration’s efforts.
When contacted, Segun Kaka, Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Information, confirmed the receipt of the vehicles, stating, “Yes, the governor bought 26 vehicles for lawmakers last week Wednesday. It was the Toyota Fortuner 2023 model, which we requested.”
However, Speaker Daisi Elemide declined to comment on the issue when asked about the allocation of vehicles. He said the matter was not for public discussion, adding that it did not concern public funds, despite the vehicles being bought by the state government.
This development adds a new chapter to the simmering tensions between Governor Abiodun and Senator Yayi, as political alignments continue to shape key decisions within the Ogun State government.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that there was no love lost between the two political juggernauts following the recent selection of candidates for the forthcoming local government election in the state.
The governor was reported to have stripped the Senator of Chairmanship candidates in his constituency.
Meanwhile, efforts to get official confirmation of the purchase of the vehicles from the state government failed.
The Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, had yet to respond to messages sent to his mobile phone.
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