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Osun assembly under criticism for purchasing ‘N1.04bn’ SUVs for lawmakers
Osun assembly under criticism for purchasing ‘N1.04bn’ SUVs for lawmakers
The Osun State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, is facing intense scrutiny for its recent alleged N1.03 billion expenditure on car purchases for lawmakers.
The controversy stemmed from the lack of transparency surrounding the transaction, coupled with the state’s current financial difficulties.
The distribution of the SUVs without prior public announcement or budgetary allocation drew sharp criticism from a coalition of civil society groups under the banner of “The Osun Mastermind” (TOM) which condemned the assembly’s spending spree.
Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, the Executive Director of TOM, also criticised the assembly’s failure to explain ambiguous spending of over N800 million in the third quarter of 2023, beyond the car purchase, which was not included in the budget.
Professor Oyedokun-Alli called for immediate disclosure of details surrounding the assembly’s N886.4 million expenditure for July, August, and September 2023.
He pointed out that a member organization, the Centre for Sustained Dialogue, had submitted a Freedom of Information request on November 22, 2023, but received no response.
He particularly criticised the assembly’s actions in light of its youthful leadership, represented by Speaker Egbedun.
He expressed disappointment that a generation supposedly advocating for positive change exhibited such blatant disregard for the people’s plight.
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His words, “We keenly followed the debates that trailed the release of the Quarter 3 2023 Osun State budget performance and we are bothered that Osun assembly didn’t show accountability and provide details of ambiguous spending.
“One of our member organizations, Centre for Sustained Dialogue, on the 22nd day of November 2023, wrote a Freedom of Information request to the House of Assembly, demanding to know details of expenditure that amounted to N886,459,882.49 for the months of July, August and September which nothing has been done till now.
“This is disturbing because the Speaker of the Assembly is a young person who is supposed to belong to a generation that wants change. We also now make an open request to the Osun State House of Assembly, under Adewale Egbedun, to disclose within 7 days, details of its N886,459,882.49 expenditure for the months of July, August and September 2023.”
He added that “The Assembly recently splashed almost Forty Million Naira each on purchasing Toyota Fortuner SUVs for Members of the House of Assembly. The House, under Adewale Egbedun, must come out to give details of that expenditure of N1.04b that is not included in budget.
“We consider it sad that a House of Assembly populated by young people who are supposed to be our hopes for positive change in governance, is so insensitive to the plights of the people they represent.
“It is disheartening that in a State where government has repeatedly claimed it is frugally managing the finances of the State, the Assembly is splashing so much of Osun people’s collective resources on such frivolity.”
Responding to the criticism through his spokesperson, Olamide Tiamiyu, the speaker said, “The Osun State House of Assembly will continue to act within the purview that is been guided by the law and with reference to due process.
“There is a budgetary provision for the vehicles. But the price quoted is in the figment of the imagination of the person that said it.”
Osun assembly under criticism for purchasing ‘N1.04bn’ SUVs for lawmakers
News
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.
It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.
“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”
The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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