Raufu Olaniyan, deputy governor of Oyo state on Tuesday explained why he could not jettison the directive of Governor Seyi Makinde for him to relocate his office to the state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
Olaniyan said as a retired civil of over 28years standing, he never for a day got querried for disregard to constituted authority so much more a governor.
He spoke with journalists who stormed the new office to confirm his compliance with the directive.
He said relocation of office is a normal thing in civil service noting that he had had to change offices at different times in his civil service career.
He added that, to him, the notice of the relocation is more administrative than political and would not see the need for the tension the matter should generate in the state.
Olaniyan explained further that, he remains committed to the oath he swore to, to uphold the peace, unity, development and progress of the state, urging the people of the state to remain calm in the interest of peace.
He said “This is not a new office, it is still my office, the office of the Deputy Governor irrespective of the location or structure. Cold water is cold water irrespective of the fridge you are bringing it out from either big, small or even a cooler.
“People who know me well, know that I was in the public service for 28years and I did not receive a query for a single day. So, why should I get a letter informing me that the Governor of the state directed something and I will not comply? No, I have not been known for displaying any act of insubordination to past governors of the state, whom I had the opportunity of working with, both military and civilian. So, why should this be an exemption. There is no reason why I should not comply.
“If I want to be sincere with you, there is nothing wrong with the directive because I can work anywhere as the Deputy Governor.
“What is the capacity of a Deputy Governor? The constitutional capacity of a Deputy Governor is the state chairman of state boundary commission, that is the only thing the constitution guarantee for the Deputy. Any other thing is based on the directive of the Governor.
“Everybody should remain calm. The relocation of my office is not beyond any administrative arrangement. Many people may see it beyond that, but for me, I don’t see it beyond administrative.”
He said the relocation of his office hasn’t changed anything about his person, his office, his mental capacity in delivering on the task noting that he already treated some files the same day he resumed at the new office location.
He added that he holds no grudge against anyone for the development but remains committed to the development and growth of the state in a peaceful and rancor free environment.
“This morning (yesterday) I have attended to some official issues that has to do with State Emergency Management (SEMA) on this table. My biro hasn’t changed, my handwriting hasn’t changed, the brain I was using in my former office is still what I am using here.
“I don’t know why there are so much noise about the relocation to the new office. There is nothing bad in it. There’s no harm whatsoever there. Not having money doesn’t change your name.
“The works that I have done on this table here today, If I am seated in the office of a messenger, it is still the same work I will do. It is still the same brain that I will use. It is still the same hand that I will use, so there’s no difference whatsoever.
“In this life, there are always two sides to a coin. Every issues would be viewed from different angles by different people. And people are entitled to their views. But, one thing remains that, whatever I am doing here still remains in my capacity as the Deputy Governor of Oyo state.
“Whatever I do here, it is still Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, the Deputy Governor that is working. It is not that we have changed office and things changed, there are many things that could have happened that would lead to change of office, I don’t want to start counting how many had happened around and even to me too. I can’t recount how many times I had had to change offices while in the civil service from once peace to another.
“There is no cause for alarm. The progress of Oyo state should be important to all of us. For things to take the right course, we must remain united. The peace that is in the state must be sustained because if crisis erupts anywhere, everybody would be affected. But, be assured that what I have signed for is the peace, progress and unity of Oyo state and that is what I am upholding. I am and will always be committed to the development and growth of the state and nothing is going to change that.”
CORENEWS.NG reports that Governor Seyi Makinde had through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun given the directive that the office of the Deputy Governor be relocated to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources ast week.
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