N3.5bn Debt: Adelabu mediates peace between Makinde, sacked Oyo LG chiefs

 

• Governor Makinde orders immediate payment

 

In a surprising turn of events, the protracted dispute between the Oyo State government and the ousted council chairmen appears to be on the verge of resolution.

The breakthrough occurred during a working visit by the Minister of Power, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, to the Governor’s office on Monday.

The Nation reports that the Minister’s entourage included the Ex-Chairman of the sacked Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) members, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, who were dismissed from their positions by the governor upon assuming office.

According to insider information, peace was brokered in a closed-door meeting between the State government and the former ALGON representatives. The Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu, played a crucial role in the intervention by urging both parties to embrace peace.

“Today, peace has been brokered between the State government and the sacked members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) as Governor Seyi Makinde promises to release the fund immediately.

“The Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu intervened in the crisis, by appealing to the state government and representative of the Ex-ALGON represented by Prince Aleshinloye to embrace peace.

“The Minister intervened on Monday, at the state secretariat during a working visit to the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde earlier today.

“This came as the former ALGON Chairman was on the entourage of the Minister who was on a working visit to the state.

“Earlier on, the governor jokingly threw banter immediately, he sighted Aleshinloye, who was seated in one corner of the Executive Chamber during the courtesy visit when he jokingly said I can see Aleshinloye in this office that he did not follow the Minister on the working visit but he only came here to remind me of their money. The banter sent everyone laughing”, the source added.

The source stressed that Adelabu intervened in the matter in a closed-door meeting with the Governor and former Prince Abass-Aleshinloye, which the governor promised to settle the debt immediately.

“Before they went into a closed door, some of the governor’s Executive Assistants and some on the Minister’s entourage including Hon Olayemi Gbenga, Chief Segun Olalere were sighted as they engaged in discussion while others exchanged banters.

“In the ensuing development, Governor Makinde later proceeded to shake hands and briefly exchange pleasantries with Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye after the meeting which ended on a peaceful note”.