The Lagos State government has emphatically refuted allegations of financial impropriety made by Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the March 18 election, against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Rhodes-Vivour had taken to Twitter on November 19, claiming that Sanwo-Olu used government funds to finance his defense in the election petition filed by the Labour Party. According to Rhodes-Vivour, the governor allegedly disbursed N50 million from the state’s coffers to four lawyers.
In response to these accusations, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, categorically denied the validity of Rhodes-Vivour’s claims. Omotoso asserted that the allegations were nothing more than an attempt to mislead the public with baseless assertions of a non-existent payment of N50 million to four lawyers.
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinize the finances of Lagos State, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth,” declared Omotoso.
He clarified that the referenced transaction never occurred. There was a payment request, but it did not receive approval from the governor when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice brought the irregularity to his attention.
“To set the record straight, Governor Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office,” assured the commissioner.
Omotoso also pointed out a crucial detail in Rhodes-Vivour’s allegations – the supporting document lacked the logo of the Lagos State Government and bore no endorsement from any government official. This, he emphasized, further discredits the legitimacy of the claims made by the Labour Party‘s governorship candidate.
The Lagos State government’s swift and unequivocal response aims to dispel any doubts or misconceptions arising from these allegations, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to financial integrity and accountability.
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