The Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde has raised the alarm that officials of the state government have been moving millions of naira from state coffers in the last 72 hours.
The allegation, which was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Makinde’s spokesman, Dotun Oyelade claimed that credible sources within the government have revealed that contracts were being used to take millions from government coffers with the connivance of a few civil servants.
Makinde said while he did not want a time-wasting probe as he had promised during his campaign, he would set a dateline upon all contracts awarded and payments made under suspicious circumstances by the current administration.
“The governor-elect may be forced to open the books if the aim is to rush money out through foul means before May 29 and leave the state in further financial crisis.
“According to Makinde, cases of unscheduled recruitments and appointments, including back-dated ones, have also been brought before him.
“Government will not hesitate to reverse any such move with consequences on those found to have committed infractions of the civil service guidelines,” the statement read in part.
Makinde has also promised to retain persons appointed by the outgoing All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government if they are found and proven to be competent.
Makinde, who won the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this during an interview with Lagelu FM 96.7 on Tuesday.
Speaking in his native Yoruba language, Makinde said he would put competence ahead of party consideration.
“We are willing to work with anyone even in the APC. If we see they are good or if an appointee appointed by the APC is good, we will retain him. At the end of the day, people are more concerned with results,” he said.
He also announced that he will cancel the ₦3,000 education levy which was imposed on students in the state by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led government.
“The ₦3,000 which students are made to pay as education levy will be stopped immediately I take over on May 29. The money is about ₦1.2bn but let parents now hold unto that money and use it for their personal matters,” he added.
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