By Oluwakemi Ishola
The Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals (APC-P), has accused the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde of selling Agbowo Shopping Complex to himself for peanuts, under the guise of leasing it to Messrs Whitestone Global Limited for 50 years.
According to a statement on Friday, by the group’s Chief Convener, Alhaji Adekunle Lawal, Governor Makinde, Governor Makinde, leasing Agbowo Shopping Complex to a private company for 50 years amounts to selling the property in disguise.
The APC professionals said leasing out a complex that is sitting on over 30 plots of land for 50 years at the sum of N4.9 billion is a disservice to the people of Oyo State.
When you are in possession of a property for 50 years, it is as good as you are the owner because most of those who are part of this lease arrangement would have passed on by the time 50 years lease will end.
They alleged that Whitestone Global Limited, to which the complex was leased, is owned by Governor Makinde, through his cronies.
The group asked; if by law, properties are sold for a lease of 99 years, what can we now call the concession of Agbowo Shopping Complex for a period of 50 years? Is it not an indirect way of selling the property since outright sales in itself can only be for 99 years?
The APC professionals demanded to know the identities of the owners of Whitestone Global Limited, accusing Governor Makinde of being the big masquerade behind the company.
