Date Published: 10/13/09

PDP wants Lagos LGs probed over funding of AC petitions in Osun, Ekiti

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and other anti corruption agencies in the country to investigate the alleged deduction of Lagos Councils’ funds to fund of the Action Congress (AC) election petitions in Osun and Ekiti State.

The PDP Director of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Jackson Adebayo alleged in  a statement issued in Ado Ekiti that a sum of N5 million was contributed by each of the 20  local councils and 37 development areas last week for the prosecution of AC’s election cases in Osun and Ekiti States.

He described the alleged act as criminal, saying anti corruption agencies in the country must act now to prevent further looting of the councils’ treasury.

“We wish to alert Lagosians and all anti corruption agencies in the country of the criminal deduction of funds meant for the development of Lagos State to prosecute tribunal cases in Osun and Ekiti.

“It has come to our notice that each of the 20 local councils and 37 development areas in Lagos was made to contribute a sum of N5 million last week and efforts are still on to source money from the councils through other means.

“A total of N285 million said to have been raised are now in the possession of some leaders of the party in both States and this is to be used to prosecute the remaining aspect of the tribunal case.

“It should be recalled that each of the councils were made to cough out a sum of N10 million during the rerun governorship election here in Ekiti and many of the council chairmen were ordered to relocate to Ekiti. One of them, Mr. Olusola Adekunle, who invaded Are Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State with thugs was arrested and taken to Abuja. He is now facing criminal charges at the court.

“It is in view of the need to protect Lagosians funds that we are calling on the EFCC, ICPC and other anti corruption agencies to as a matter of urgency conduct a probe of the funding of AC’s activities with funds belonging to Lagos State councils and development areas.

We equally call on the people of Lagos State to open their eyes and prevent further looting of their treasury to prosecute the political expansionist agenda of an individual, who does not even have an ancestral linkage with Lagos.”