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STEALING PUBLIC TRUST, Premium Times’ Low Premium Reporting By Fashola

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STEALING PUBLIC TRUST . Premium Times’ Low Premium Reporting

The stupidity of the THOUGHT that a public officer will take such money on a consistent and repeated basis with impunity reveals the mindset of Premium Times about what they can do in such circumstances.

 

STEALING PUBLIC TRUST  . Premium Times’ Low Premium Reporting

The pen writes what the mind thinks.

That stupidity is magnified by the thought that the public officer who is trying to steal would be paying the money into his bank account where it can be found.

 

The stupidity initially informed my decision not to respond to Premium Times in their latest publication headlined under my Name. It is a continuing line of a series of Attack FASHOLA.

 

Regrettably, what Premium Times has done is to damage its reputation as a news medium for those who seek the truth.

 

Clearly, no investigation was undertaken in respect of this publication as the report was from “Open Portal.”

 

 If it was from the Open Portal then there was nothing to hide.

 

If Premium Times had conducted any investigation it will find and report that payments like this occurred in many other ministries and have been a source of concern reported in other media by Compliance Authorities.

 

If Premium Times investigated, it would have found and reported that Ministers do not manage accounts and finances of Ministries.

 

A little investigation would have shown Premium Times that Directors of Finance and Accounts (DFAs) are those who do this job and they are staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and seconded to the Ministries as part of financial controls.

 

IPPIS

If Premium Times investigated it would have found and reported that government in 2007 initiated a payment platform called Integrated Payment Platform and Information System (IPPIS).

 

Any well meaning and right thinking member of the public will recall that this administration has been engaging all sectors of Government to fully migrate to the IPPIS platform.

 

What has happened is that not all Government Officials who, from time to time, needed to be paid for approved expenses were registered on the platform.

 

 

In order to ensure that government work was not hampered, the DFAs sought and obtained approval of the Accountant General to pay these monies through the Accounts of an Approved few who were on the platform.

 

Those so approved then collect the money and disburse to the beneficiaries who sign Receipts all of which are retired and available for verification as approved by the Accountant General.

 

 

The Accountant General has recently issued new guidelines to deal with this process because not all public officials have fully enrolled on IPPIS and the DFAs have the mandate to comply and not FASHOLA.

 

 

In all, no money was stolen or is missing. There is No Smoking Gun to criminalize Fashola.

 

 If anything has been stolen it is the Trust of the public by Premium Times.

 I will not believe anything they write again.

This is not investigative Journalism. It is Irresponsible Journalism.

             BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN

             HON. MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING

Politics

Huge Turnout As Obasa Secures House of Reps Ticket

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Huge Turnout As Obasa Secures House of Reps Ticket

 

A massive crowd of party faithful thronged Agege on Saturday, May 16, as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, secured his place as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The hitch-free primary exercise saw card-carrying members in their numbers validate his candidacy, underscoring the strength of his grassroots support.

The development comes just days after Obasa’s May 13 declaration at a stakeholders’ meeting in Agege, where he announced his ambition to contest for the federal seat.

At that earlier event, he explained that his decision was driven by calls from party leaders and stakeholders who believed he could serve Agege more effectively at the national level.

“I answered the call of our leaders and stakeholders who believe I can serve Agege better. We must present candidates with capacity, loyalty, and commitment to the progress of Agege,” Obasa had said.

At the primary election, Obasa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from his constituency.

“I am deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in me by our leaders and members. Today’s validation is not just about me; it is about our collective resolve to continue building Agege and Lagos State on the foundation of progress and development,” he remarked.

He further pledged to remain people-focused in his representation: “My commitment has always been to serve with integrity, to amplify the voices of our people, and to ensure that Agege continues to stand tall in the comity of constituencies. This validation strengthens my resolve to deliver more dividends of democracy.”

Party officials praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that it reflected the unity and discipline within the APC in Agege.

Observers also pointed to Obasa’s earlier endorsement of Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi for Agege Constituency I and Hon. Azeez Oladapo Yusuf Ninolowo for Agege Constituency II as evidence of his broader strategy to consolidate party cohesion.

With the primary now concluded, Obasa is set to fly the APC flag in the forthcoming general election, a move that many believe will further entrench the party’s influence in Agege.

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Ajadi Backs PDP–APM Alliance, Expresses Confidence in Oyo Central Senate Victory

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Ajadi Backs PDP–APM Alliance, Expresses Confidence in Oyo Central Senate Victory

 

The senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) alliance for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has described the newly formed political alliance between the two parties in Ibadan as a major step toward strengthening democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He spoke on Thursday at Mapo Hall shortly after the political gathering where Seyi Makinde declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election and unveiled the alliance between the PDP and APM.

Addressing journalists at the event, Ajadi said the coalition signaled renewed hope for democracy and political inclusiveness in Oyo State, noting that the partnership had energized supporters across the state.

According to him, the alliance was not only strategic for electoral success but also a demonstration that democratic values would prevail despite political uncertainties.

“To tell the general public that today’s alliance with APM party with PDP is a great one because when they planned all their plans believing that democracy will not exist, but God has made every possible best to make a provision,” Ajadi said.

He added that the visible turnout at the rally reflected the acceptance of the coalition among residents and supporters throughout the state.

“That is the reason you can see the nook and cranny of Oyo State that everyone is well happy because democracy must remain,” he said.

The event attracted thousands of party faithful, political stakeholders and supporters from across Oyo State, marking one of the earliest major political gatherings linked to the 2027 election cycle in the South-West.

Ajadi, who is seeking to represent Oyo Central in the Senate, also used the occasion to restate his confidence in securing victory at the polls, saying his political ambition was rooted in service and a commitment to deliver meaningful representation.

“My aspiration is total victory because I know what I have for my people and my people know me very well,” he said.

He promised that if elected, he would demonstrate effective legislative leadership and practical representation that would directly benefit constituents across the senatorial district.

“By the grace of God when I assume the office of the Senate, I will demonstrate what it takes to show the general public that there is capacity, and I will definitely show it,” Ajadi added.

Political analysts say the emerging partnership between the PDP and APM in Oyo could alter the configuration of alliances in the state ahead of 2027, especially as discussions intensify over succession politics and opposition realignments.

The alliance announcement came as Governor Seyi Makinde formally entered the presidential race, a move that may further elevate Oyo’s influence in national political calculations as parties begin early consultations toward the next general election.

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Hon. Olusegun Amore Clears APC Screening for Ogun Assembly Race, Promises Purposeful Representation for Yewa South

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Hon. Olusegun Amore Clears APC Screening for Ogun Assembly Race, Promises Purposeful Representation for Yewa South

 

 

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – In a bold and strategic move towards deepening quality representation, grassroots development, and people-oriented governance, Hon. Olusegun Olugbemileke Amore has officially obtained and successfully passed the screening exercise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest for the Yewa South Local Government State Constituency seat at the Ogun State House of Assembly.

This development has continued to generate excitement, hope, and widespread acceptance among party faithful, political stakeholders, youths, women groups, and residents across Yewa South, many of whom see Hon. Amore as a vibrant, visionary, and grassroots-oriented leader with the competence, capacity, and character required to deliver purposeful representation.

Hon. Amore, who is widely respected for his humility, accessibility, leadership qualities, and unwavering commitment to community development, explained that his decision to join the race was driven by his passion to serve the people, attract meaningful development, and become a strong voice for the aspirations of Yewa South at the state legislative level.

According to him, the time has come for a new era of responsive representation anchored on youth inclusion, infrastructural advancement, educational support, empowerment initiatives, and people-centered legislation capable of positively impacting every ward and community within the constituency.

Speaking shortly after successfully scaling through the APC screening exercise, Hon. Amore expressed appreciation to party leaders, members, supporters, political associates, and well-wishers for their encouragement, trust, and overwhelming support.

He reaffirmed his loyalty and commitment to the ideals and progressive philosophy of the APC, while promising to run an issue-based, peaceful, and inclusive campaign that would further unite the people and strengthen the party ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Hon. Amore further stressed that Yewa South deserves quality representation that will prioritize youth empowerment and employment opportunities, improved educational support and scholarship initiatives, better road infrastructure and rural development, agricultural and economic advancement, enhanced healthcare delivery, and effective legislative advocacy capable of attracting greater government presence and developmental projects to the constituency.

As consultations, mobilization, and political engagements continue across Yewa South, many supporters have expressed confidence that Hon. Olusegun Olugbemileke Amore possessed the experience, credibility, leadership capacity, and political will needed to effectively represent the interests of the constituency and contribute meaningfully to the continued progress and development of Ogun State.

Indeed, the journey towards a greater, stronger, and more prosperous Yewa South appears to have gained renewed momentum with the emergence of Hon. Olusegun Olugbemileke Amore as a formidable aspirant under the progressive banner of the APC.

Political observers and supporters have also described Hon. Amore’s aspiration as a welcome development, citing his longstanding relationship with the grassroots, dedication to humanitarian causes, and passion for community growth and political inclusiveness.

The Ogun State House of Assembly remains the legislative arm responsible for lawmaking, oversight functions, and the promotion of effective governance across the state.

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