Ogun Denies Gov-elect’s Transition Team Access To Facilities

Ogun State Government has denied the transition committee set up by the governor-elect, Dapo Abiodun, access to some state-owned facilities for inspection.

The denial was contained in a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, which was obtained by Punch in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Thursday.

It was gathered that the letter was a response to a request made by the transition committee chaired by the deputy governor-elect, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

The committee requested to access some key government facilities for inspection.

But the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the facilities were being used for government business.

The letter dated May 8, 2019, read, “I wish to restate that his excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has directed that your committee shall be offered full cooperation and assistance in the discharge of your mandate.

“The challenge, however, appears to be that most of the facilities indicated in your text message – the Valley View Auditorium, the Presidential Lodge, Mitros, June 12 Cultural Centre, Stadium – are currently being used for the routine business of governance and therefore may not be available until about a few days to the May 29 inauguration as we had duly notified during our inaugural joint meeting of Monday, April 29, 2019.

“As you are aware, the state is preparing for the working visit of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the third week of May to inaugurate a number of legacy projects in commemoration of this administration’s end-of-tenure.

“Understandably, all hands are on the deck and most of the named state facilities will be in use. During the month of Ramadan, the state organises and engages in a number of daily programmes, culminating in the state’s special Iftar for which we routinely use many of the named facilities.”

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress’ Caretaker Committee, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, confirmed the development, saying that the transition committee set up by Amosun and headed by the SSG had been uncooperative.

Oladunjoye said a meeting scheduled for last Monday could not hold because of the SSG’s absence.