The Lagos State Government has vehemently denied allegations made by the Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, suggesting that the state funded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s post-election legal dispute. In response to the accusation, Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotoso, issued a statement dismissing the claims as baseless and aimed at misleading the public.
Omotoso clarified that while a payment request had indeed been submitted, it was promptly rejected by Governor Sanwo-Olu after the Attorney General identified irregularities in the transaction. The commissioner urged those conducting financial scrutiny on the state to rely on verified facts and cautioned against spreading unverified information.
The statement read, “A post on ‘X’ by Labour Party (LP) candidate Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on November 19, 2023, alleged – without any proof whatsoever – that the Lagos State Government funded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s legal dispute after the March 18, 2023 election. This is not true.”
It was emphasized that the document presented as evidence lacked the official logo of the Lagos State Government and lacked endorsement from any government official. Omotoso dismissed it as a deceptive tactic to fabricate a narrative of a non-existent payment of N50,000,000 to four lawyers.
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinise the finances of the Lagos State Government, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth,” the statement asserted.
The commissioner clarified that the referenced transaction never occurred, and Governor Sanwo-Olu, in adherence to his oath of office, would not engage in any misappropriation of public funds. The Lagos State Government remains committed to transparency and accountability in its financial dealings, as affirmed by Omotoso’s statement.