Kwara Government Denies Involvement in Ex-Gov Ahmed’s Trial – Commissioner

• Kwara State Government denies involvement in former Governor Abdulfatahi Ahmed’s corruption trial, emphasizing governance priorities and independent anti-graft agency actions
• Commissioner Bola Olukoju condemns opposition’s allegations as baseless and urges reliance on legal process rather than media speculation

The Kwara State Government has rebuffed allegations linking it to the ongoing corruption trial of former Governor Abdulfatahi Ahmed, asserting that the weighty responsibilities of governance preclude any distractions or targeting of individuals, including former public officeholders.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Bola Olukoju, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, emphasized that the former Governor’s trial falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of anti-graft agencies, which may have taken action based on their independent investigations into various transactions during his administration.

Olukoju denounced the opposition party’s accusations as cowardly, unfounded, and misguided. She stressed that the appropriate venue to establish innocence in the face of allegations is the court of law, not through media platforms or speculative skirmishes.

“This administration has moved forward from past events, except where historical references are indispensable. Our responsibilities are so extensive that we cannot afford to squander time,” she remarked.

Nevertheless, Olukoju highlighted lingering challenges stemming from the misappropriation of funds by previous administrations, citing the blatant theft of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds as a prime example. The mismanagement of these funds resulted in Kwara’s blacklisting by UBEC and hindered progress in education infrastructure and other sectors for several years.

She underscored the government’s efforts to address these challenges and improve educational infrastructure, including disbursement of UBEC counterpart funds for multiple years to rehabilitate schools across the state. However, she noted that the magnitude of the deficit necessitates sustained investments over several years.

Olukoju criticized recent media reports for lacking contextual depth, particularly regarding the state of Kankan LGEA School in Asa local government. While acknowledging the government’s responsibility to rectify deficiencies in school infrastructure, she emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive context to such reports for public enlightenment.

Olukoju reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing developmental gaps and enhancing transparency in governance. He urged media outlets to present stories with thorough context to facilitate a better understanding of pertinent issues.