The Kogi State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has denied reports credited to Governor Yahaya Bello that the party diverted public funds to private companies when it governed between May 2003 and January 2012, Our Kogi State Correspondent reports.
The party challenged the State Government to move beyond the region of hearsay by calling the names of the companies and amounts involved in the allegation.
A statement signed by Kogi State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bode Ogunmolain said it was sad and rather unbecoming of government to dish out what they described as outright lies and unbridled misinformation in the name of media management. “Government is a serious activity that places enormous responsibilities on those in the position of authority. You don’t govern by a hunch. But sadly in our dear State, Government has retrogressed to a child’s play,” the statement adds.
Governor Yahaya Bello’s Director General on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo while reacting to comments on his boss’ style of government, made by an elder statesman and PDP member, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, had accused past PDP administrations in the State of gross financial indiscipline. “While PDP was in power, Kogi State funds were used to pay salaries of workers of companies owned by some of the party’s leaders. Also, the government was responsible for buying diesel to power the companies.” Fanwo alleged.
Ogunmola noted that it was “certainly incongruous and inadequate for Fanwo to engage in shadow boxing through spurious and wild allegations. “The onus of proof lies on him to provide details, such as names of companies and their PDP owners, the amounts paid as salaries, the government vouchers or payrolls to that effect, the dates and relevant signatories to the transactions. We challenge him to come to the open with these details. If he is unable to do so, then he should spare the good people of Kogi his Cock and Bull stories, tell them to the marines, where they rightly belong or keep quiet for evermore.”
The party accused Bello of embarking on an unprovoked campaign against its interests and a despicable trial of its members in the media.
Ogunmola argued that Fanwo is “flying the kite for their so-called commission of inquiry. Our members cannot be blackmailed and we are ready to defend our actions in government. I hope Bello and his band will be able to say the same when the time comes, as it will surely do.” Ogunmola concluded.
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