By Dayo Ademola
The Ekiti State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Kayode Fayemi of selling the state Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The opposition party said it had credible evidence at its disposal that the building, sitting on 2000sqm on T. Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja has been sold by the Fayemi-led government.
The party, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday by the its Caretaker Committee Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, alleged Fayemi disposed the Governor’s lodge so that he could sell his building in Abuja as a replacement at an astronomical price.
It said Governor Fayemi must explain to Ekiti people why the building was demolished and a new structure built on the land, adding his government will be living to its real identity as a “devourer of Ekiti heritage” if it turned out that the massive edifice was sold without the knowledge of Ekiti people.
The party said: “As at today, the edifice sitting on 2000sqm on T. Y. Danjuma, Asokoro, Abuja is no longer there. It has been demolished and new structure is being built on the land.
“At the site, no sign post, stating the owner of the new structure, the contractor and consultant as it should be if the new structure is being built by the State government.
“Also, assuming but not conceding that the new structure with like 15ft bunker is being built by the State government, what is the justification for pulling down the old structure and building a new one at this time? At what time did the former structure become dilapidated to warrant total demolition to pave way for a new one?
“Should spending billions of Naira on a new Governor’s Lodge in Abuja be the priority of the same Fayemi’s government that sacked over 3,000 workers under the pretence that there was no money to pay them?
“It is therefore our demand that Governor Fayemi must explain to Ekiti people what happened to the multi-billion Naira edifice in Abuja.”
In a swift reaction, Commissioner for Works, Mr. Shola Adebayo, said the government would give appropriate response to the allegations from the opposition party in due course.
“We heard about the allegation from the PDP and I don’t think we have any reason to rush in replying because there is nothing like fraud as regards the Abuja property. We will respond very soon,” he said.