By Awayi Kuje
Mr Peter Ahemba, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, says the governor is committed to prudent management of resources through transparency and accountability.
Ahemba, who made this known in a statement on Thursday in Lafia, noted that the governor has been providing critical dividends of democracy to the people since assuming office in 2019.
The governor’s media aide was reacting to a media publication credited to a group called Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), calling for the probe of Sule’s administration.
“The attention of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, has been drawn to a media publication credited to a group operating under the umbrella of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), calling for his probe.
“In the ill-motivated publication, the group urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“It is on record that the administration of Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has remained consistent in the promotion of transparency and accountability in governance, especially in the management of the state’s meagre resources since assumption of office in 2019,” the statement read in part.
Ahemba dismissed the group’s allegation that the governor might be utilising state funds to support his legal battle at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
“Gov. Sule cannot use a penny belonging to the state to pursue his matter at the Appeal Court or any personal cause,” he said.
He therefore called on the public to treat the allegation as “another distractive strategy coming from an obviously partisan group working for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party”.
The governor’s aide said that such groups were working in collaboration with some individuals to hijack the mandate freely given to Sule by the people.
He said: “Gov. Sule was freely given his mandate in the March 18th governorship election by the people of the state and his opponents will not succeed by the grace of God.
“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency has since directed his legal team to appeal the erroneous ruling of two members of the 3-man panel of the Tribunal.
“And he will do everything within the confines of the law to ensure that the mandate given to him remains in place till 2027.”
The statement also called on the people of the state to remain calm and peaceful in their conduct, no matter the provocation from members of the opposition. (NAN)