N300m LG fraud: Kwara PDP accuses AbdulRazaq of promoting corruption

…says ‘Kangaroo Probe Panel’ to divert attention from massive fraud in government

…demands suspension of ‘concerned’ officials

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration thrives on corruption, deceit and propaganda.

THE INFORMANT247 had reported on Monday that the governor raised an eight-member panel of inquiry to conduct a probe into the alleged monthly diversion of N300m from the Local Government funds.

However, in a statement issued by the Kwara PDP’s spokesperson, Tunde Ashaolu, the party described the probe panel as kangaroo meant to divert attention of the public from the huge financial corruption being perpetrated by his kitchen cabinet members and as well use the stage-managed panel as a siege to cover up the government officials who are at the centre of this case.

The opposition party noted that the government erred by trying to act as a judge in its own case instead of allowing anti-graft agencies charged with such responsibility to do their job.

The statement read, “It is strange that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration in the State is setting up investigation panel to investigate officials of Government accused of corruption rather than allowing statutory anti-graft Agencies to carry out their responsibilities.

“Our party is concerned that such approach will cover the already exposed shame of the Abdulrazaq administration, as the panel will attempt to shield top officials of the government from prosecution, which will further embolden other government officials to pilfer the state resources.

“Our party takes exception to the procedure under which committee members were solely appointed by the Governor as well as the calibre of people that make up the panel.

“Rather than forming a pretentious simulated Panel on this matter, the Governor, if truly he is ready to pursue this matter with all sincerity, ought to have suspended all concerned government officials and allow the EFCC and ICPC that have the mandate by law to investigate and prosecute corruption cases, do their job.

“Kwarans have regrettably come to realise that the Governor Abdulrazaq’s APC government thrives on corruption, deceit and propaganda.

“We appreciate the numerous NGOs who have taken the bold step by petitioning the EFCC on the above mentioned issue and other infractions of this corrupt government. We urge all kwarans to continue to document the various lies and falsehood of this government because for sure, the day of reckoning is fast approaching and we shall serve Governor Abdulraman Abdulrazaq and his lackeys what is due to them.”