The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over the state government’s legal action restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from obtaining records of contracts awarded by his administration.
The opposition party said the move raised concerns about accountability in public office.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said the governor should allow the anti-graft agency to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.
The party’s reaction followed Wednesday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, which granted an application by the Oyo State Government restraining the EFCC from obtaining financial details of contracts awarded by the Makinde administration from 2021 to date.
The governor’s media office had said the ruling prevented the commission from investigating allegations or suspicions of corruption involving state officials and others.
Reacting, Sadare said accountability remained an essential part of governance.
“Apparently, Governor Makinde thought the mandate to govern conferred on him the rights to turn the entire state into his personal estate as he did not realise there would be need for accountability along the line,” he said.
He added that the governor should not be afraid to account for public funds.
“The question on the lips of many patriots now is: Why would a governor be afraid to render an account of resources given to him on trust to benefit the citizenry?” Sadare asked.
The APC spokesman further expressed confidence that anti-corruption agencies would carry out their responsibilities in line with the law.
“The truth is that he can only run, but he cannot hide. EFCC and other anti-graft agencies will do their work at the appropriate time,” he said.
Sadare also alleged that contracts awarded by the state government and other financial matters should be subjected to scrutiny.
He said, “Very soon, the governor will be made to account for every kobo of Oyo money which he has received in the last seven years.”
Our correspondent reported that on Wednesday, a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan granted an application by the Oyo State Government restraining the EFCC from obtaining details of contracts awarded by the Makinde administration from 2021 to date.
The state government said the ruling was intended to prevent what it described as unlawful access to its records. Meanwhile, the APC insists that public officials should be open to scrutiny and accountability.
