The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has charged
the new governor of the State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to immediately
commence probe of former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s eight year
administration.
The Party in a statement released on Sunday by her Publicity secretary,
Barrister Taofik Gani, said failure of Ambode to Probe Fashola will
portend bad omen for any meaningful development in the four years of the
new administration.
Explaining, the party posits that the eight years administration of
Governor Fashola was characterized by Human Rights violations coupled with
“Digital and Analogue” styles of stealing of public funds that can only be
ignored by a successor who is a conspirator in the looting of state
resources.
According to the PDP, the facts of the corruption, embezzlement,
misappropriation and direct stealing of the state funds can be established
in the number of abandoned or uncompleted projects; missing SURE-P funds;
flooding due to blocked canals purportedly paid to be cleared; the bogus
allowances allocated to Fashola as Governor; bogus cost of falomo bridge;
the huge local and foreign debts of N960 Billion left behind, to mention a
few.
“On behalf of all concerned lagosians, we call on the governor, Mr
Akinwunmi Ambode to immediately set up a commission of enquiry to
investigate the eight years administration of former governor Fashola.The
need for this is apt in view of the cases of Human Rights abuse witnessed
during the period, especially perpetrated by the State Task force and KAI
officers.
“No doubt the hands of the former governor are not clean considering that
inspite the officially corroborated monthly IGR of 27Billion Naira; 9-13
Billion Naira monthly Federal Government allocation; SURE-P Funds;
Corporate donations and concessionaires interventions, the former governor
yet left office leaving over 85% of his projects and promises unfulfilled.
“Uptill now, the former governor cannot categorically explain the
whereabouts of over 68Billion Naira SURE-P Funds meant for the state. We
demand to know! The bogus cost of the Falomo Bridge must also be probed.
The cost of buying over the Lekki-Epe toll system must also be
investigated.Imagine all the canals purportedly contracted to be cleared
and channelled are all block. Lagosians are now suffering from
consequential flooding. This must be investigated.
“As a matter of urgency, Mr Ambode should review or terminate some
elephant projects that were initiated by the Fashola’s Administration.
Most of the projects are really prodigal and of no relevance to the
masses. Example is the huge Lagos funds sunk as partner/investor in the
ongoing Eko Atlantic Project.
“Mr Ambode is Administratively, Legally and Morally compelled to commence
these enquiries IF only to clear the doubts. Lagosians are eager to supply
evidence of corruption in the 8 years administration of Fashola”