Osun assembly speaker, Timothy reacts to Gov Adeleke’s directive asking Oyetola to return official vehicles in his possession

The speaker of the Osun state house of assembly, Timothy Owoeye, has spoken on the recent directive by the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, asking the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, to return all official cars in his possession.

The asset recovery panel set up by Adeleke, recently directed Oyetola, his wife, Sherifat, and former government appointees to return official vehicles in their possession.

Owoeye, while speaking on Wednesday, December 28, during the assembly’s plenary in Osogbo, the state capital, cited the public office holders (payment of pension and severance packages) bill passed into law in 2019, adding that there is a need to meet government officials to discuss the matter.

The bill, which was passed into law in June 2019 during the administration of Oyetola, provides for public office holders to receive pension and severance packages, The Cable reports.

The law also cites “fringe benefits and allowances” but there is nothing specific on if government officials can leave with official cars upon expiration of their tenures in office.

Owoeye said that Teslim Igbalaye, the secretary to the state government (SSG), and Kasim Akinleye, the chief of staff to the governor, have been invited to the house for discussion on the matter.

“I want to call on the SSG and chief of staff to have a discuss on this matter with me,” the speaker said.

“Apart from the fact that we have a public office holders (payment of pension and severance packages) law that was passed in 2019, I will not say anything further until I see the SSG and chief of staff.

“Both of them are not summoned to appear before the assembly, but to let us come together for discussion.

“There are so many things we can settle without denting the image of anybody,” he added.