Rumpus In Gov Ayedatiwa’s Govt Over Appointment

Many are still wondering on what could have led the Governor into making such appointment that could cause a major clash of interest in the course of their duties

Rumpus In Gov Ayedatiwa’s Govt Over Appointment

•Top Aide Engulfs in N6.5Billion Contract Mess

The newly inaugurated administration of Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa is now engulfed in crisis of trust, as key figures in the cabinet are not happy with the appointment of a known government contractor whose company is alleged to have deflated the accounts of the Ondo State government by billions of Naira!

Investigations revealed that the appointment of Mr Olawoye Ayorinde Abiola by the Governor was greeted with hush tones of disapproval in the cabinet office.

Mr Olawoye Abiola, the government roads contractor turned governor’s aide, was the brain behind the Elementary Engineering Consult Limited, one of the major contractors that secured many of the road contracts in Ondo State during the tenure of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; while Lucky Ayedatiwa was the deputy governor.

In the course of the administration of late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu , Engr Olawoye Ayorinde Abiola’s company, Elementary Engineering Consult Limited was given a contract of over N6.5billon. But, till today, the road contracts remain abandoned.

However, in January this year, Engr Abiola was appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Infrastructure Lands and Housing to Governor Ayedatiwa.

And, his appointment, we gathered, immediately became a subject of discussions among the cabinet staffers, on the manner of relationship that exists between the governor and Engr Abiola.

Many are still wondering on what could have led the Governor into making such appointment that could cause a major clash of interest in the course of their duties. Some insiders even insisted that the governor is a part owner of Elementary Engineering Consult Limited. As that could be the only reason while The Polytechnic, Ibadan trained civil engineer was brought into the cabinet.

This line of thoughts was however punctured by Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, the spokesman of the governor, who told us that Engr Abiola was appointed by Governor Ayedatiwa, based on his capacity and experience. And, that the governor do not have any form of interest in the said company.

When we presented the contract papers to him, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayedatiwa, said ‘this company (Elementary Engineering Consult Ltd) handled projects in the state before Ayedatiwa became deputy governor and later the governor’

We however insisted that Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa was already the deputy governor when the contracts was given to Elementary Engineering Consult Limited.

Our investigations revealed that the first road contract valued at the sum of N2.1billion was awarded in October 22, 2021. And, Mr Ayedatiwa was sworn in as deputy governor of Ondo state on the 24th of February , 2021. While the second contract valued at the sum of N4.3billion was given to the same company in December 20, 2022. So, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa was part of the cabinet that gave out the contracts .

Probing further, the governor’s spokesman said ‘there’s no law that forbids a governor from appointing a contractor as aide. Almost all civil engineers who are in private practice are contractors. (And) you can’t question the Governor on who he appoints‘

In October 22, 2021, Engr Olawoye Abiola’s Elementary Engineering Consult Limited was given the contract of N2,107,270,920.30, for the construction and rehabilitation of 6.6 Kilometers Oke Odu – Ijare road, Ikota, Aaye and selected roads in Ijare and Ero towns. And, the roads was scheduled to be completed within 24 months. But, it has been abandoned.

Also, the same company was given another mouth watering contract sum of N4,395,854,290.76 in December 20, 2022. The contracts was for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of 18.657km roads in Akure, the sunshine state capital of Ondo state. The contract was befallen by the same fate.

Efforts made to speak to Engr Abiola was repeatedly rebuffed. While we gathered that he’s under instruction not to speak with newsheadline247.com.

Nonetheless, in a move that can still not be comprehended, as it kept many to be wondering on the manner of relationship that exists between the governor and his new aide on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr Olawoye Abiola of Elementary Engineering Consult Limited however now sits pretty well in the cabinet of Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, while the N6.5 billion contracts remain uncompleted. Read More