The Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Mr. Jimi Agbaje has cleared himself of the tax default allegation leveled against him by state governor Babatunde Fashola.
Agbaje who said he was shocked by the personal and unprovoked attack against his person by the Governor cautioned Fashola against peddling false information.
The Pharmacist turned Politician recalled that earlier in the month, the state Commissioner for Finance , Ayo Gbeleyi sent a personal letter to him commending him for his faithfulness in payment of taxes .
“It is a curious contradiction that several days later, the Governor himself would express sentiments clearly in contradiction to the spirit and letter of that voluntary and unsolicited commendation from the state”, Agbaje said in a statement issued by his media aide Felix Oboagwina yesterday.
The statement further queried, ‘Are they feeling the heat of Agbaje and PDP’s impending victory in the state, or how does one explain this recourse to personal attacks recently embarked upon by chieftains of APC?”
“Although he founded JayKay Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Agbaje left the directorship of the company in 2006, and this is on record with the state. He is no longer involved in the running of the company. And today, he is not even an Executive Director.
“We have a letter signed by Ayo Gbeleyi, Honourable Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, where Agbaje received commendations for fulfilling his tax obligations.
The letter from the Ministry says: “A review of our payment records from 2011 shows that you have been consistent with the payment of Land Use Charge on the above property (Agbaje’s residence in Apapa).
“The Lagos State Government wishes to express its appreciation to you on your consistent fulfilment of your civil responsibility and your singular contribution towards the development of the state” , the statement explained.
Agbaje urged Lagosians not to fall for the antics of the jittery ruling party in the state which had been firing all the missiles in its arsenal to whittle his growing acceptance among Lagosian
“We look forward to your continued cooperation in this regard.”It will be recalled that the Governor only about two weeks ago said that Agbaje was too old to be Governor, although the PDP Candidate is only 57.
This fresh outburst amounts to another futile attempt at mudslinging by a desperado group that is up against a formidable opponent, and it has only succeeded in staining the source. Lagosians should be wary of APC and its bag of tricks, the statement read.
