The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Saturday’s election in Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has alleged it would take Oyo State the next 50 years to repay the bond incurred by the present administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The former governor said Governor Ajimobi, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, has incurred over N100 billion bond in the last 46 months for the purpose of election, adding that if he is not ousted, the state may face serious financial challenges at it may not be able to meet its obligations.
Alao-Akala, who spoke through his Director of Public Affairs, Oludare Ogunlana, said Ajimobi lied that he bought new tractors for farmers at the cost of N2.5 billion only to discover that they were obsolete.
The governor, he asserted, will face the wrath of the law after he might have lost his re-election bid as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating the case.
Alao-Akala alleged: “It was immoral for Governor Ajimobi to appoint his woman-friend, a level 13 officer as Permanent Secretary.”
He said the action as contravening civil service code.
Alao-Akala added: “It is on record that his wife deducts N15 million illegally from funds accrued to the State Action Committee of Aids monthly. The governor has spent over N2b on Oyo State Technical University whose location is still unknown. The pro-chancellor of the elusive University, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi had to resign when he saw the fraud perpetrated by Ajimobi.
“It is also worthy of mentioning that the verification exercise that led to sacking of workers costed the government N1.6 billion and the contract was awarded to his children. The supply of cars in Oyo State was awarded to his children and cronies and that is why it is shrouded in secrecy.
“In the history, we have never seen where a governor sign cheque. The way Ajimobi spend money is fraudulent. Within 46 months, Ajimobi has acquired many choice properties in the State and outside the country. He owns the gigantic hotel under completion beside Subuola Memorial School adjacent the University College Hospital second gate.
“The N18 billion meant for the federal roads constructed by the Alao-Akala’s administration have been collected by the incumbent administration but it is unfortunate that there is nothing to show for the huge sum. It is going to take the next generation hard work to repay the bond.”
The former governor also alleged that Ajimobi converted 1000 acres of government land at Alesonso for personal use without recourse to due process, saying: “Ajimobi and his family members are the main contractors in Oyo State. The State can be called Ajimobi and family Nigeria Plc and no wonder one of his media aides usually introduces him as ‘CEO of Oyo State PLC’.”
While commending the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari for cancelling his planned campaign trip to Ibadan, Alao-Akala said: “We are proud of Buhari; a former head of states without any house in Abuja, no oil blocs. Coming to Ibadan to campaign for Ajimobi is like expanding the frontier of corruption in the State. The difference between them is that while Buhari can be referred to as Mandela, Ajimobi is Ali Baba.”