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Alleged N1bn loot: Ibadan elders, Afenifere, Ajimobi ask Alao-Akala to resign

By Akin Oyedele, Ibadan

The Oyo State governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has advised the Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, to “toe the path of honour” by resigning from office.

File Alao Akala

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He gave the advice in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday in his reaction to the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that the governor allegedly mishandled N1bn in 2006.

The Secretary-General of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, gave a similar advice in a separate telephone interview with our correspondent on the same issue.

Also, the Chairman of the Ibadan Elders Forum, Ambassador Olu Saanu, said that the revelation was a confirmation that the country’s politicians were treasury looters.

The allegation by the EFCC was contained in its interim report on the financial activities of Alao-Akala when he acted as the governor in 2006 as exclusively reported by The Punch on Monday.

The report reads, “It is clear that Alao-Akala abused his office to enrich himself contrary to his oath of office. He has acted contrary to the provisions of the constitution and betrayed public trust.

“It is pertinent that he has a case to answer.”

The governor was alleged to have inflated contracts for supply of textbooks to the tune of about N1bn.

Ajimobi said that he had been vindicated over his position that the top echelon of the state government was made up of people with “bad records.”

The ANPP governorship candidate said that the latest revelation had pointed to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party foisted rogues on the country.

He said that the mind-bogging disclosures from the different probe panels and anti-graft agencies on the financial recklessness of past and serving governors had necessitated the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution.

Meanwhile, Alao-Akala has described the allegation absolute false.

Alao-Akala, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Abraham Ojo, on Monday, however said he had instructed his lawyers to file necessary legal actions against the affected media outfit.