By, Avant Garde

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has condemned what it described as Governor Seyi Makinde’s attempts to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from probing the financial records of his administration in the last seven years.

The party said the development was “shameful and appalling.”

Recall, a federal high court in Ibadan had on Wednesday 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 governor’s media office described the ruling as a bar on the anti-graft agency from investigating allegations of corruption involving state officials.

But in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC faulted the move, saying the governor should not obstruct the EFCC from carrying out its statutory duty of investigating how funds accruing to the state were spent “when accountability is a core principle of public administration.”

“The question on the lips of many patriotic citizens is: why would a governor be afraid to give account of resources held in trust for the people? What is Governor Makinde trying to hide? The truth is that he can only run but he cannot hide. The EFCC and other anti-graft agencies will do their work at the appropriate time and all issues will be made public,” the statement read.

Sadare further alleged that the probe should cover issues including the printing of exercise books, rehabilitation of stadiums, Circular Road project, renovation of Agodi Government House, construction of bus terminals, upgrade of Alakia Airport, alleged illegal sale of government properties, and unremitted deductions from workers’ salaries.

“These matters, among others, will be investigated thoroughly and no culprit will be spared. Very soon, Governor Makinde will be made to account for every kobo of Oyo State money received in the last seven years,” he said.