The embattled Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, has, on Tuesday, complied with the relocation directive given by Governor Makinde and resumed at his new office located in the state’s Ministry of Environment, from the Governor’s Office complex.
While speaking with newsmen at his new work space, Olaniyan noted that obedience has always been his virtue and he was comfortable with every decision made by the State Government regarding his office relocation.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that as a civil servant of over 28 years, he never got querried for disregard to constituted authority, so much more a governor, saying relocation of offices is a normal thing in civil service and he had had to change offices at different times in his civil service career.
Olaniyan said: “This is not a new office, it is still my office, the office of the Deputy Governor, irrespective of the location or structure. If I want to be sincere with you, there is nothing wrong with the directive because I can work anywhere as the Deputy Governor.
“The work 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,” he posited.
Read Also: Oyo Governor Relocates Deputy’s Office to Environment Ministry
While calming down his supporters, Olaniyan asserted that he remained committed to his Office as the Deputy Governor and that nothing would deter him from carrying out his official duties, saying he does not share the thought that he is being witch-hunted by the governor because of his defection from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated: “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.”
“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,” Olaniyan affirmed.
There have been controversies surrounding the defection of the Deputy Governor, as he had, last week, received a petition from members of the State House of Assembly, accusing him of misconduct, which may lead to his impeachment.
Governor Seyi Makinde had, a weeks ago, in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, directed the relocation of the number two citizen to the Ministry of Environment.
Emmanuel Ukoh
