From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State and National Planning Minister, Dr Abubakar Olarewaju Sulyman have expressed divergent views on achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan in the state.
The Minister, while addressing journalists, disclosed that federal government under President Goodluck Jonathan has done a lot of capital projects including provision of water at Kwara State University, irrigation system at Lafiagi, Shonga, rehabilitation of Ilorin International Airport, six Almajiri schools in the state among others.
The Minister also challenged the state government to explain how they spent N139 billion collected from the federal government in the last three years and N50 billion Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).
The Minister insisted if Kwara State government executed any projects on behalf of Federal Government and eventually refunded by presidency, the credit should go to the federal government.
But the APC, Kwara State chapter through it Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari in a statement berated the Minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar Sulaiman.
The APC said Dr Sulaiman took deceit to its apogee when he listed Kwara State government projects and facilities as achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We understand the fear of losing the 2015 general election is taking its toll on Dr Abubakar Sulaiman and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but Mr Minister cannot be pardoned for listing Kwara State government projects and facilities as achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan during PDP rally at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin on Monday.
“Dazed by the reality of no achievement to the credit of President Jonathan, to the amazement of everyone at the PDP rally including President Jonathan himself, Mr Minister embraced half-truths, distortion of facts, lies and deceit. Non-existing road projects were mentioned as achievements and it was deceit taken to its apogee when Dr Sulaiman said President Jonathan built the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin and Ganmo Integrated Power Plant.
“Of course, Mr President did not build the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin as wrongly claimed by Dr Sulaiman. Mr President himself must be thoroughly embarrassed by Mr Minister’s false claim. In a desperate attempt to impress President Jonathan, Dr Sulaiman ended up embarrassing Mr President.
“It is on record that the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin is a state government facility that was built by the administration of Dr Bukola Saraki. Kwarans are fully aware of this fact.
“On Ganmo Integrated Power Project: the power project was built and completed by Dr Bukola Saraki. It was commissioned by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua on 28th of July, 2009. Therefore, Kwarans should ask Dr Sulaiman if President Jonathan was a President in July, 2009.
“Even though, President Jonathan as Nigeria’s Vice President was the representative of Late President Yar’adua Non the board of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in the capacity of chairman, President Jonathan can’t claim credit for the project because he didn’t build it.
“We are deeply disappointed that all a minister of over six months could offer were half-truths, lies and deceit. Neither, did an understanding of the stages of strategic planning reflect in Dr Sulaiman’s speech.
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