Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour, the Labour Party candidate for the governorship position in Lagos State for the 2023 general election, has demanded that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu step down immediately.
Vivour’s call for resignation comes after the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, reassured the public that Sanwo-Olu would not misuse public funds.
However, Vivour has disputed this claim, stating in a press release that the state government is allocating significant amounts of public funds to activities that do not directly benefit the people.
He expressed concerns about the economic difficulties faced by Lagosians, such as high inflation, and criticized the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
In support of his statement, Vivour pointed to a document titled ‘JANUARY-AWARD -2 023,’ available on the official website of the Lagos Public Procurement Agency.
According to Vivour, this document contains details of payments made for legal representation in a lawsuit involving Governor Sanwo-Olu, totaling N200,000,000 to four individuals.
Vivour said, “Item 16 – 19 of the documents contains a description of payments as ‘Instruction to represent and defend Mr Sanwo-olu Babajide Olusola In: Suit No; FHC /CS/1979/2022 – Peoples democratic party vs INEC and 42 ors. This cumulative sum of N200,000,000 was paid to 4 different law firms.
“Furthermore, another document from the same official website titled JUNE AWARD 2023 on Item 52, describes a payment as -Provision of furniture items at campaign office, GRA Ikeja for the sum of N6,116,750. Item 276 on the July Award 2023 documents describes another payment as – DECORATION OF VENUE FOR POLITICAL DELEGATES CONGRESS for the sum of N20,000,000.
“At a time when Lagosians are grappling with record inflation, soaring poverty rates, and unprecedented unemployment caused by the incompetence of both the previous and current administration, it is disheartening to learn that the state government is allocating substantial sums of public funds for activities that do not directly benefit the populace.
“In most liberal democracies, like the UK where the governor recently returned from seeking international investment, this reckless abuse of office will amount to an impeachable offence.
“I strongly condemn this misuse of taxpayers’ money by the Lagos State Government and call for the Governor’s immediate resignation.”
