The Ondo State government on Monday said its former deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi has returned three vehicles in his possession.

The vehicles include a Toyota Landcruiser Jeep, V8, 2019 model and two Toyota Hilux vans also of 2019 model.

The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, April 26, said while efforts are on to recover any other remaining vehicle(s) still in possession of the former Deputy Governor, Government expresses gratitude to the security agencies, especially the Police, for the most-needed intervention.

The development comes almost two weeks after the State Govt asked the police to prevail on Ajayi, to return government vehicles in his possession two months after his exit from office.

This was contained in a letter to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bolaji Salami and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties & Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale.

Odebowale lamented that Ajayi was still holding on to four government vehicles despite leaving office almost two months ago, saying all entreaties to him to return the vehicles for the use of the incumbent deputy governor were rebuffed.

”Our office has the firm directive of the governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to recover all government properties still in the possession of former political office holders in the state, especially those who served in the immediate past administration.

“Our record confirms that Mr. Agboola Ajayi, the immediate past deputy governor of Ondo State, is still holding on to four vehicles owned by the government. All entreaties to him to return these vehicles for the use of the incumbent occupier of the office have been rebuffed. Please, Sir, find attached copies of the letters dated February 16, 2021 and March 1, 2021 respectively,” the letter read.

The governor’s aide said that the state government opted to lodge the complaint, believing that the police would use all lawful means within their reach “to look into this brazen act of conversion, and this is being charitable.

“Any person who keeps/detains the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner, permanently, of the use right conferred therefrom, has committed an offence known in law as stealing.”

Earlier in a statement titled “Much Ado About Nothing: The Ondo State Government Must Get Their House In Order”, Agboola Ajayi stated –

Recall that in my farewell message to the good people of Ondo State, on 24th February,2021, I wished Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa success in their administration. I stand by that ! As a citizen of the state it is in my interest and in the interest of all of us that this current administration demonstrates good governance, transparent policy making and effective change.

 

Unfortunately members of the inner circle of the Governor have decided to prioritise their time to harass me on a number of issues, most especially with regards to the return of vehicles. I had hoped these petty interactions would have ceased after the recent inauguration.

 

To be clear – if the return of these two vehicles will make the administration focus more on the avalanche of pressing needs, challenges and predicaments facing the state most especially insecurity, the absence of governance and unpaid salaries across the entirety the Ondo public sector – then I’m ready to make the sacrifice and return the two vehicles which they so desperately need . I am not the problem of the present administration.

 

 

I have MOVED ON.

 

Once again, I wish Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and his Deputy Lucky Ayedatiwa Success in their administration.

 

Hon.Chief Agboola Alfred Ajayi
Former Deputy Governor,
(2017-2021)
18th April,2021