Nigerians can look to some interesting revelations about governance in Lagos State, as Olawale Oluwo, a former commissioner for energy and mineral resources in the immediate past government of Akinwumi Ambode, says he is ready to appear before the state House of Assembly probing the billions of naira invested in the purchase of 820 buses by the Ambode’s administration.
Recall that Oluwo resigned from the Ambode’s government, claiming to join the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after it became obvious that APC would not give a second term ticket to his boss (Ambode).
Since the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu took off in May, the House of Assembly has been hitching to probe Ambode over alleged mis-governance, especially with respect to the purchase of the buses. The house has insisted that the transaction was never approved by the legislative arm as constitutionally required. Linked to the purchase of the buses by the house is Oluwo, and other former commissioners.
But in a letter addressed to Mudaishiru Obasa, the speaker of the house, dated October 11, 2019, Oluwo, said the threat to issue warrant of arrest on Ambode, himself and others by the lawmakers, was uncalled, as he was waiting for the house to officially invite him.
The letter reads in part: “I wish to state categorically that no invitation, oral or written, physical or virtual, was extended to me in person or through a third party, either directly or by substituted means, to any of my official and residential addresses, phone numbers or emails.
I wish to put it on record that I have proudly served my state with utmost diligence, integrity and in line with my oath of office. Let it be known that I have absolutely nothing to hide and I am willing and ready to appear before any committee of the House of Assembly, anytime I receive your invitation to that effect.”
According to Oluwo, it was wrong for the lawmakers to pass a resolution seeking to arrest him, “as if I had willfully or tacitly avoided appearing before the committees of the house of Assembly,” as no such invitation has been extended to him.
On Thursday, two preliminary reports were presented by two different ad-hoc committees set up by the house to investigate the 820 buses purchased by Ambode and to appraise the 2019 mid-year budget.
Chairman of the nine-man ad-hoc committee set up to probe the 820 buses purchased by the former governor, Fatai Mojeed, while presenting the preliminary report, said it was discovered that due process was not followed in the purchase of the buses.
Mojeed added that the former governor used the refund of the Paris Club for the purchase of the buses without the approval of the House.
The lawmaker added that they demanded the budget instrument used for the purchase, but that there was no budgetary provision for it.
On his part, Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on mid-year budget review, Gbolahan Yishawu, alleged that the commissioners involved were invited by the committee, but refused to appear without giving any excuse for their absence.
However, some members of the House while reacting to the matter, suggested that since the former governor and those officials who worked with him had been invited by the two committees and refused to show up, a warrant of arrest should be issued on them.
JOSHUA BASSEY
