The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state has expressed shock over the threat by Kogi State Government under Governor Yahaya Bello to sue EFCC, wondering why they are finding it difficult to offer themselves for mere interrogation and necessary clarifications, which the party noted is a normal routine to ensure that, fraud is not perpetrated and room not given to stealing to stamp-horn to its head, while doing the normal checks and balance exercise, designed to protect public funds, comply with International best practices, avoid abuse, diversions and looting.
In a statement signed by the party’s Director for Media and Communications, Comrade Dayo Onibiyo, the PDP noted that, a state government that, only two days ago boasted of winning a World Bank award, should have no fear whatsoever to appear before any financial and anti graft agency or agencies, anywhere.
*”Having won three (3) level categories in fiscal transparency and accountability; debt sustainability and domestic revenue mobilisation, why run from EFCC, why threaten to go to court?”*, the statement asked, while also wondering why a Government with such a “wonderful performance” should not boldly match to answer questions, saying it is also worried like several other indigenes of the state, on why the Governemnt, should feel it’s being hunted by any agency, when it lays claim to openness, sincerity and financial non-recklessness.
The party also asked the judiciary to stop putting logs in the wheel of justice as an order of injunction, issued since December 2021, is not expected to be perpetual and forever as it appears the matter is being swept under the carpet, for whatever reason(s), reminding them that, the fund in question, belongs to the good people of Kogi state, issued in their title and for which the state was expected to benefit from as bailout.
The party also asked Kogi state Government to furnish indigenes of the state with details of the whereabout of the confiscated twenty billion naira (N20b) that was orphaned late last year, adding that, we also seek to know, if the fund had returned to the coffer of the state or still as ordered by the court, recalling “That the management of Sterling Bank Plc, where account No 0073572696 is domiciled, has pursuant to a letter dated 21st September, 2021, signed by its Managing Director *indicated intention to return the total sum of N19,333,333,333.36 back to the Central Bank of Nigeria.* ”
The party therefore, repeats it’s passionate appeal to Kogi sons and daughters, home.and abroad to ensure that, the APC is booted out of the state in the forthcoming general election in 2023, if the state and indeed the good people of Kogi must enjoy new lease of life.
