In a recent development, the Osun State Government has officially acknowledged that the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, utilizes the private jet belonging to his billionaire brother, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, for his official travels at no cost to the government.
Adedeji Adeleke, who is not only a prominent figure as the brother of Governor Ademola Adeleke but also the father of Afrobeat sensation David Adeleke, commonly known as Davido, has been allowing his brother to use his private jet for official purposes.
Kolapo Alimi, the State Commissioner for Information, confirmed this arrangement in a statement to SaharaReporters on Monday. Alimi revealed that neither the Governor nor the State Government has made any financial payment to Dr. Adedeji Adeleke for the use of his private jet since Governor Adeleke took office.
Alimi emphasized that this practice of utilizing the private jet predates Governor Ademola Adeleke’s tenure as the State Governor. He explained, “Up till this moment, Dr. Deji Adeleke has never collected a dime over that plane. Before Governor Ademola Adeleke became the governor, he was using the plane. He is family.”
Additionally, Alimi clarified that the Government House, where the Governor resides, is currently undergoing renovation, which is why Governor Adeleke continues to stay at his brother’s house. He reiterated that no payments have been made for the Governor’s use of the plane, and it is also maintained from the Adeleke family’s personal resources.
When asked about budget allocations for the Governor’s official trips, Alimi clarified that while budgets are allocated for the Governor’s trips, these budgets encompass more than just the Governor’s personal expenses. They also cover allowances for security personnel, protocol officials, press crew, and other staff who accompany the Governor on his official travels.
He explained further, “When they say the Governor’s budget for trips, it does not really mean individual. The Governor may forgo his own but the security personnel, the protocol people, all those people who follow the Governor, their entitlements will form part of it. As per the Governor, so far, for his own trips, when he used his brother’s jet or anything belonging to his brother, Dr. Deji never collected any money.”
The statement comes after a recent incident in which a private jet owned by Adedeji Adeleke experienced technical difficulties, including a cracking noise, while attempting to take off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The trip was subsequently canceled, averting a potential tragedy.
