Makinde Fires Back Over EFCC Row, Says Transparency Remains His Watchword
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has defended his administration’s handling of the state’s finances, insisting that transparency remains the guiding principle of his government amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The governor made the declaration while responding to criticism from the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the state government’s decision to seek judicial clarification on the EFCC’s request for financial records.
The Pendulum Media recalls that a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan ruled on Wednesday that the EFCC lacks the power to investigate the finances of the current Oyo State administration in the manner challenged before the court.
Reacting to the judgment, the Oyo APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, argued that the anti-graft agency would carry out its responsibilities at the appropriate time and faulted the court’s decision.
But in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Governor Makinde dismissed suggestions that his administration was attempting to shield itself from scrutiny.
According to the governor, approaching the court was aimed solely at seeking judicial clarification over the EFCC’s demand for copies of all government contracts and details of transactions with contractors between 2021 and 2025.
“The decision of the Oyo State Government to approach the Federal High Court for clarification on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) demand for copies of all contracts and details of transactions with contractors between 2021 and 2025 is not an attempt to forestall investigation because neither the state government nor Governor Seyi Makinde has anything to hide,” the statement read.
Makinde maintained that the APC’s claim that the legal action amounted to an attempt to evade investigation was misleading and without legal basis.
He stressed that seeking judicial interpretation of constitutional issues is a right guaranteed under Nigerian law and should not be misconstrued as an admission of wrongdoing.
The governor also maintained that his administration has prudently managed the resources of Oyo State and remains committed to accountability and transparency in governance.
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