Investigation of road contracts and disbursement of funds to execute some projects triggered the resignation of Ekiti State Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Kayode Oso.

It was gathered that the development degenerated into irreconcilable differences between Governor Ayo Fayose and Oso, who decided to “walk away” about two weeks ago.

Oso reportedly defied Fayose’s directive to issue a statement to raise the alarm that the Department of State Services (DSS) planned to arrest and detain him.

The former commissioner was also said not to be comfortable with a directive from his boss to castigate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government in the statement to be issued.

The state had in a curious manner announced Oso’s resignation on Wednesday, claiming he quit on medical grounds.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dupe Alade, said the announcement became necessary because “government did not want the issue to be politicised and hijacked by the opposition”.

But a source said yesterday that the ongoing investigation of road contracts and other projects by the DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) caused tension between Fayose and Oso.

Oso’s refusal reportedly angered Fayose, who used uncomplimentary words on the commissioner.

Senior government officials said to have witnessed the drama include Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola; Speaker Kola Oluwawole; Mrs. Alade; Chief of Staff Dipo Anisulowo; Finance Commissioner Toyin Ojo and his Environment counterpart, Bisi Kolawole.

Last month, the DSS grilled Ojo on road contracts and ecological funds but the evidence he gave was believed to have “implicated” Oso.

The source explained that Ojo reportedly told his interrogators that he won’t be able to speak much on the road projects as Oso would be in a better position to shed more light on transactions carried out in the works ministry.

The source said: “When Ojo returned from DSS custody and relived his experience and questions he was asked, especially the areas that affect Oso, the governor directed him (Oso) to issue a statement to abuse the President and DSS.

“But he refused and this infuriated the governor, who described him as stupid.

“The governor said ‘can you see this stupid person who I am considering to anoint as my successor?’

“The commissioner replied by saying ‘how can you call me a stupid man?’ He told the governor that there was need to reconcile funds spent on roads because he doesn’t want anything to destroy his name and image.

“The guy left and dropped all government property in his possession, including the key of his official vehicle.

“He had withdrawn from all government activities for over two weeks now and he was absent at the groundbreaking of the N5.7 billion flyover project last week.”

It was learnt that Oso arrived London on Wednesday, the day his resignation was announced by the government.

A source close to him revealed: “He landed at Heathrow Airport at 1.45 am on Wednesday.”