By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, have resumed hostility over the state’s debt profile, with Oyetola stating that he left N14 billion in the state coffers.

The former governor also said that his successor does not understand governance, so is making embarrassing statements in public.

Meanwhile, Adeleke, while addressing council of traditional rulers at their monthly meeting at Ministry of Finance Building, said the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion apart from debt owed local contractors.

Read Also: Osun owes N407.32bn debt, Adeleke reveals

Governor Adeleke added that Oyetola should explain how he spent the N18.04 billion he accessed after he lost the July 16 governorship election.

However, Oyetola in a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, insisted that he did not borrow a dime during his four years tenure in office.

He added that Adeleke needs experts to tutor him on workings of government in order to stop embarrassing himself in public.

I inherited 8 outstanding loan facilities — Adeleke

Adeleke said his administration inherited eight outstanding loan facilities, apart from salaries and pension debts, from Oyetola’s administration with repayment period for the loan facilities ranging from 16 months to about 28 years.

He said: “My good people of Osun state, the total loan stock as of today is N331.32 billion.

“If the N76 billion debt on salaries and pension are added, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion. The amount owed contractors is yet to be determined.

“The only fund in government coffers, as of Monday 29th November, was for November 2022 salary.

“Otherwise, the state treasury was empty. As your governor, I will ask questions on your behalf. And will demand answers.

“Governor Oyetola must explain how the N331 billion borrowed in the name of Osun State was expended, with no obvious infrastructure development to justify this huge debt.

“Governor Oyetola must explain how the N18 billion Bridge Loan taken after he lost the election on July 16 was expended.

“Governor Oyetola must also explain why Osun state is owing salaries and pension to the tune of N76 billion after collecting a N50 billion Salary Bail Out loan from the Federal Government

I left N14bn in state coffers, never borrow a dime — Oyetola

Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola disclosed that he did not borrow a dime during his four years tenure, saying the claim by Adeleke that he borrowed N18.04 billion only exposed his lack of understanding of governance.

Oyetola in a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, insisted that he left in the state coffersN14billion while leaving office.

His words: “I insist for the umpteenth time that my principal never took any loan facility for the four years he used in office.

“The claim by the new governor shows clearly that he lacks understanding of how government is run.

“If you go to my principal’s welfare address, he stated it clearly, that like every other state, we benefitted N3 billion on monthly basis for six months from the Federal Government as budget support.

“This money was given to all the 36 states of the country without requesting. You cannot categorise that as loan.

“So the new governor does not understand the working of government and he should have allowed those that understand the rudiment to explain it to him. So that he won’t be coming to the public to embarrass himself the way he did.

“We also left N14 billion behind. They should tell the people how much they met in the state coffers.”

Oyetola can’t borrow such loan — Oluwo of Iwo

Meanwhile, at the meeting, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi disclosed that he is not disputing facts presented before the monarchs, but Oyetola as governor cannot borrow such huge debt.

He said: “Since you said what you presented today is from the Accountant-General, I don’t want to discard it.

“If somebody has put us in this mess question him, let’s give room for fair hearing. I don’t want to jump to conclusion.

“But I know Oyetola cannot do such. But if he has done so, according to what was presented today, the former governor should tell us. We deserve to know the truth.”

Face governance, don’t be distracted, says Olowu-Kuta

Also, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude urged the governor to concentrate on governance with a view to deliver on his 100 days in office as promised during his electioneering campaign.

“Mr Governor, you need to leave brickbat to your party and face governance. There is a lot of landmines ahead of you.

“You have to face governance with a view to meeting our expectations and your promise on 100 days in office, the days are counting,” he said.