Sequel to a recent report labeling AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the topmost among Nigerian Governors who have been running their states from the diaspora, social commentator and analyst Comrade Omotosho has stated that misinformation is a major problem in the society.
The opposition in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also expressed its vindication in the report and declared Abdulrazaq’s Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairmanship as more of a curse than a blessing for Kwara residents, saying that the report aligns with the PDP’s long-standing assertion that the Governor has effectively relocated Kwara State’s capital to Abuja since assuming the position of the NGF Chairman.
Comrade Omotosho, while speaking to RoyalTimes charged the National Orientation Agency to ensure that misinformation is tackled, “If the people are not adequately informed, they would be misled and eventually disinformed”, he said.
He added, “The government should make information available every time so that we can check facts and that is where the NOA comes in”
The statement from the PDP released by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, criticized the Governor for neglecting his duties and suggested that the Governor does not delegate responsibilities to his subordinates.
However, Comrade Omotosho has opposed that notion stating that the current Deputy Governor of the state, Kayode Alabi has taken up a lot of responsibilities and duties and that is due to the governor’s delegation, “Since 1999, we tend to complain about our deputy governors being too old because it seems like they are not active, – Late Simon Sayomi (1999-2003), Late Joel Ogundeji (2003-2011), Peter Kisira (2011-2015).”
“Presently though, Kayode Alabi is well known because he has been given a lot of responsibilities and duties. The Commissioner for Youth, Joana Nnazua Kolo, was also chosen to represent the Governor in Yikpata for the Swearing-in of the National Youth Service Corps members recently.”
The PDP further denounced the Governor’s attempt to conceal his absence by frequently chartering private jets, estimating a daily expenditure of over 25 million naira on the Governor’s trips between Abuja and Ilorin due to his NGF commitments.
Comrade Omotosho, however, questioned if the flight fees were paid by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum or the Kwara State Government, saying “Those with the State treasury are the ones that have the actual information.”
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is a union, so the question is, are the flights paid for by the NGF or the State Government?” he said.
He added that the Governor is allowed to have other commitments outside his job as a civil servant, “He has a national assignment as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.”
He added, “As a civil servant, he is expected to work from 8 am – 4 pm, 5 pm and the NGF is not a government institution.”
He also charged the state government to respond to the allegations, stating that “silence is often taken as consent.”
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