A group that goes by the name Development Issues Initiators Association (DIIA), Ogun State, yesterday chided Governor Gbenga Daniel for relentlessly abandoning the Government House, Abeokuta, his official residential quarters, for his preferred “palatial Asoludero Court” in Sagamu, his home town.
In a statement signed by DIIA’s General Secretary, Mr. Tope Adaramola and Mr. Bolaji Akinpelu, the group said by leaving the Government House in Isale–Egbein area of the state capital uninhabited as expected of a state executive, the governor had turned the place to ” a sort of cargo depot,” and a habitation for “low end house workers and casuals of the governor.”
“We feel that the attitude of state governors choosing to stay in their private residence rather than the Government House should be discouraged.
“These resources could never be recouped or enjoyed by the incoming governor as it has become part of the private property of the outgoing governor,” DIIA stated.
The group therefore, advised the Ogun State governor–elect, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, not to tow the path of the outgoing governor, who jettisoned official quarters in preference for his private home.
They also enjoined Amosun to ensure that he utilises “the Government House for the purpose it was built by occupying the edifice,’’ adding that he should be wary of sycophants who will derail from the course of impacting on the state excellently.
“Incidents of unbridled sycophancy and over adulation of the person of the governor as we have seen in recent past in the state is partly the handiwork of layabout aides who want to keep their office at all cost.
“Persons who do not have any positive value to add to government and the people should not be allowed within the precinct of government. It takes a solid team to produce a brilliant result,” DIIA said.
But reacting swiftly yesterday, Governor Gbenga Daniel said the allegation is not only “nauseating, cheap and baseless, but also a catalogue of falsehood,” which right-thinking people of Ogun State would vehemently discountenance.
Daniel added that the “allegation is idiotic” as the place has never been neglected even as a brand new generator was bought recently for the Government House.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, in a telephone interview with The Nation, the governor said: “It is absolutely nauseating and I’m at pains that some persons will be making baseless allegations and out of base political motive, could resort to such falsehood.
“The governor will not be the first person to live outside the Government House. Maintenance of the governor’s private residence is at his personal cost. The state government does not fund it.
“Also, the money meant for the maintenance of government house in Abeokuta has always been utilised for that purpose since the inception of the governor’s administration. There is somebody in charge of that and whoever is in doubt should find out. The records are there.
“The recourse to pedestrian and undignifying allegations will not do Ogun State and its people any good. Otunba Gbenga Daniel has performed creditably well serving Ogun people and any attempt to tarnish his image will not work. The motive of the people behind this can only be evil.”
Author: Chief Editor
Nigerian Community,News, Events and more
