Chairman, Board of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and
Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has
berated the Nigerian media for beaming its searchlight on the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) at the expense of what is going on in All Progressives
Congress, APC-controlled states, particularly, Lagos.
Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has
berated the Nigerian media for beaming its searchlight on the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) at the expense of what is going on in All Progressives
Congress, APC-controlled states, particularly, Lagos.
Obanikoro said while the media blew corruption cases
involving the ruling party out of proportion, it failed to highlight an even
higher level of corruption going on at the states controlled by APC.
involving the ruling party out of proportion, it failed to highlight an even
higher level of corruption going on at the states controlled by APC.
Speaking
with select journalists at the weekend, Obanikoro, who stressed that the
PDP-led Federal Government had been fighting corruption since 1999, and is
leading the way in terms of accountability and transparency in governance,
described Lagos State as a cesspool of corruption.
with select journalists at the weekend, Obanikoro, who stressed that the
PDP-led Federal Government had been fighting corruption since 1999, and is
leading the way in terms of accountability and transparency in governance,
described Lagos State as a cesspool of corruption.
According to him: “What is good about the federal level is
that whatever the people of the country complained about, we don’t hide them
nor put them in the closet. We are dealing with them; people are being arrested
and put in jail.
that whatever the people of the country complained about, we don’t hide them
nor put them in the closet. We are dealing with them; people are being arrested
and put in jail.
“Tell me, how many local government chairmen or councilors
have they tried for corruption or put behind bars since 1999 that they have
been managing affairs of this state? There is a cesspool of corruption in Lagos
state from any angle you may look at it”, he added.
have they tried for corruption or put behind bars since 1999 that they have
been managing affairs of this state? There is a cesspool of corruption in Lagos
state from any angle you may look at it”, he added.
On the N255 million bullet proof cars scandal rocking the
aviation ministry, Obanikoro said: “Oh yes! Accusation has been made in the
open. Panels have been set up to look into the matter and the president has
received the report. I am sure in good time; he would come out with a
position. Be that as it may, nobody can sweep under the carpet what PDP
had done to tackle corruption. Their party has not done anything. That is what
we are saying. Everything they have accused us of doing, they are worse off.
aviation ministry, Obanikoro said: “Oh yes! Accusation has been made in the
open. Panels have been set up to look into the matter and the president has
received the report. I am sure in good time; he would come out with a
position. Be that as it may, nobody can sweep under the carpet what PDP
had done to tackle corruption. Their party has not done anything. That is what
we are saying. Everything they have accused us of doing, they are worse off.
“They accused Stella Oduah of buying two armoured cars for
N255 million. The one the Lagos state governor is riding up and down is more
expensive than Oduah’s cars. He is a public officer too who draws his salary
from tax payer’s money.
N255 million. The one the Lagos state governor is riding up and down is more
expensive than Oduah’s cars. He is a public officer too who draws his salary
from tax payer’s money.
“It is the same standard, it doesn’t matter. It is even more
damning for the governor because he is elected by the people and he is supposed
to uphold the trust and confidence of the people of Lagos. So, their own is
even worse in that case but it is unfortunate the media refuse to look at that
area. I am in the know of the cost but I am putting it to you to do the
investigation on the cost of those two jeeps which our governor uses as
official car”, the former senator said.
damning for the governor because he is elected by the people and he is supposed
to uphold the trust and confidence of the people of Lagos. So, their own is
even worse in that case but it is unfortunate the media refuse to look at that
area. I am in the know of the cost but I am putting it to you to do the
investigation on the cost of those two jeeps which our governor uses as
official car”, the former senator said.
