N500m Concert Fee: Akeredolu Dares PDP To Report Him To EFCC; Says Party Is Confused

By Akinwale Kasali

There has been accusation and counter accusations from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over  an alleged N500m spent on a concert tagged: ‘Countdown Show To Herald 2022’.

The PDP said that the amount, allegedly, spent by the Ondo State Government was reckless in the face of paucity of funds to run the State.

The  PDP has, therefore threatened to drag the Governor to the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the issue, adding that Arakunrin Akeredolu was using personal companies as conduit pipes to corner State funds.

Ondo PDP spokesperson Kennedy Peretei,  had alleged that the N500 millon was spent on the concert anchored by the Governor’s son in-law, Michael Olatunde and also accused the governor or using personal companies to corner state funds.

Reacting to the allegation,  Governor Akeredolu in a statement by his Information and Orientation Commissioner, Donald Ojogo, challenged the PDP to show proof that he registered 13 companies in 2017.

He urged the opposition party to publish the names of Directors of the companies as well as the names of the companies.

The statement said: “Their assertions in respect of 13 companies they claimed were registered by the Governor’s family in 2017 without evidence exposes the juvenile and pedestrian composure of the PDP. It is sheer waste of precious media space to assert without evidence to prove.

“On the alleged expenditure of N500 million by the Ministry of Information on the ‘Countdown Show to Herald 2022’, it’s not just laughable, but presents the PDP as most unserious.

“The inconsistency in their lies is legendary, as their first release had indicated N200 million in respect of same subject. The public deserves to know more. Therefore, the PDP must hurry to report this to the EFCC for investigation.

“While it is clear that the insidious naked dance of the PDP manifests the height of idleness and political depression, the party’s persistence in the display of uncanny posture on the path of unbelievable lies calls to question whether or not the PDP respects the Ondo State public at all. No serious public takes such beer parlour talks seriously.”