Ajimobi And Ladoja Disagree Over Looted #500m

Speaking in a Governorship debate organised by Splash FM, Governor Abiola Ajimobi insisted yesterday that Ladoja returned the money, a claim the former governor denied.

It was attended by academics, captains of industries, politicians, students, and members of the international community.

Also in attendance were two other candidates- Seyi Makinde of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Teslim Folarin of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seeking re-election in the February 28 poll in which Ladoja is also contesting on the platform of the Accord Party (AP).

Responding to a question on whether or not Ladoja returned the money through the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Ajimobi answered in the affirmative, saying the return was acknowledged by his administration.

Ajimobi said Ladoja decided to return the money when he (Ladoja) entered into a plea bargain with the anti-graft agency.

“I have to say this over and over again and I will continue to say it that he(Ladoja) returned the money to the Oyo State government.”

But Ladoja said he never returned any money, adding that the cheques published by the government were not his.

To buttress his statement, the Accord governorship candidate said the money in question was returned in May.

Ladoja also claimed that the controversy regarding the money was nothing but a ploy to tarnish his reputation.

“The principal actor then said he was asked to taint my holier than thou image,” he said.

Dismissing the plea bargain claim, the former governor said he had sued the government.

But the governor stood his ground, maintaining that he (Ladoja) returned over N500million to the government.

On the Mokola Bridge, the two candidates also traded words over the contract sum, which Ladoja argued was inflated by Ajimobi.

The governor told the audience that the cost of the bridge was relatively cheap when compared with others.

He said: “Without any reservation the price of Mokola Bridge is relatively cheap.”

The former governor said for every N1 spent on the bridge done in Ogun State, Oyo spent N6, noting that the Ogun State bridge was double lane with trailers passing through.

Ajimobi said there is a difference between a bridge and a flyover.

“Ogun State bridge is 11.2 meter by width, our own is over 500 meters. So, egbon (elder brother) you don’t have the facts on what you are saying on Mokola flyover.”

He challenged Ladoja to go and cross check the facts.