Former governor Rashidi Ladoja has revealed how his estranged former deputy, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala took the only house he bought while in office.
Ladoja was governor between 2003 and 2007 while Alao-Akala succeeded him and was in office till 2011. But between January 11 and December, 2006, Alao-Akala was acting governor as Ladoja was in court challenging his impeachment.
Alao-Akala is the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP while Ladoja is the leader of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP in Oyo State. This was after his brief stint in the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
In a recent interview with Saturday Punch, Ladoja disclosed that “I didn’t have one block on something when I was in government. Even in Samonda, I have one plot there, I haven’t even developed it up till now.
“When we were selling about seven hundred quarters, I bought only one. Which Akala had taken from me. 361, quarter 361,” he added.
Checks by OYO INSIGHT revealed that the quarters, close to 5 acres, has been allegedly acquired by outgoing governor Abiola Ajimobi.
He, however, said he has houses where he needed it.
“Do I need to? Can I sleep in two rooms? I have houses where I needed them. I have house in Lagos where I can go. When I was frequenting London, when my children were studying there, I have house there in 1984 or 86. So, what do I want to? God is in charge.”
He also spoke on why he didn’t go after those who betrayed him when he was reinstated.
“You see, when the Supreme Court pronounced their judgement, Which was on the 7th of December, 2006, I made a radio and television statement that this is not a victory for Ladoja, it is not defeat for the other party, it is just a victory for democracy, and that democracy is the winner. And that this will now show that democracy actually is a game that has got rules. You play by the rules, and you are alright. You play against the rule, you are fouled.
He said the chairman of the impeachment plot, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN),” came here few days ago. He came here few days ago, not to apologise. He had come here more than two years ago, to come and apologise. Prince Dotun Oyelade brought him.”
Asked if he believes Alao-Akala could have apologized like Ayorinde, Ladoja noted that “We human beings are different from one another. Our consciences are different. Some people have no conscience, some people have conscience. So, I think Ayorinde’s conscience did not allow him to rest.”
