… As documents confirm Olusegun Adebayo’s directorship in the company that absconded with funds for the Isin road
By Tejumola Olusegun Orilemola
Considering the vehemence with which Most Rev. Israel Amoo, on Saturday, openly rebuked the Kwara State Government over what he described as the unbearable suffering of pensioners and the deplorable state of rural roads, it is both embarrassing and revealing how the pulpit has been allowed to be used for political point-scoring.
A closer look at Amao’s own antecedents reveals he was a key figure in the very political dynasty that created the backlog of pension arrears later settled by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
His service record is public knowledge: Chairman, Kwara State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (2003–2007 and 2011–2015); Chairman, Kwara State Library Board (2008–2011); and Chairman, Fact-Finding Committee on the Kwara State College of Education, Oro (2006). This clearly shows he was an integral part of the 16-year administration of Governor Bukola Saraki. It is therefore a stunning act of amnesia for him to mount the pulpit and accuse Governor AbdulRazaq of the plight of pensioners, a problem he helped create.
His gaffe should not be pardoned but viewed from the prism of a man being used to project the hot ambition of an opposition desperate to demarket the ruling government. Ordinarily, it is a terrible absurdity for the pulpit to be used in such a manner. Even more worrisome was the flame of fury exhibited by Reverend Amao in reminding Governor AbdulRazaq that power is transient, when he and his political masters—Saraki and Ahmed—should be the ones seeking restitution for plunging Kwara State into an abyss during their horrendous 16-year rule.
The implication of Amao’s gaffe is clear to many discerning Kwarans: he is a religious linchpin for the opposition. Everyone knows that 2027 is around the corner, and their hearts are in turmoil, their heads aching violently with the massive acceptance of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq across the state.
However, we wish to remind Amao that his present base, according to the website of the Anglican Church, is in New Bussa, Niger State. The Niger State Government has banned unlicensed religious preaching across the state, directing that anyone who wishes to preach must first obtain official authorisation. Probably, it is safe to state that Amao’s outburst was a planned action to embarrass the Kwara State Government, a stunt he would be unlikely to attempt in his host state of Niger.
Furthermore, the rumour that Segun Adebayo is having a political romance with the opposition, hatched in utmost secrecy, is not without foundation. This context is crucial. It was TAHL ENGINEERING LTD, a company owned by Segun Adebayo—the son of the late former Governor C.O. Adebayo—that was awarded the contract for the construction of the very Isin road in question. We have obtained the Articles of Incorporation for Tahl Engineering Ltd, and it confirms Adebayo Cornelius Oluwasgun (Segun Adebayo) is indeed a director of the company.
He abandoned the project and absconded with state government funds till date. With the failure of Segun Adebayo’s company to deliver on the dilapidated road project—a company directly linked to the old political order—it would have been Amao’s wisdom to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. Instead, he decided to call a spade by another name, blaming the government for a failure that rests squarely with his political allies.
Tejumola is the Convener, Society for Sustainable Governance.