Former Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, has stated that the sale of 110 properties that belonged to the state’s government followed due process.
Ahmed responded to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak’s allegation of selling the state’s properties, including a house meant for the State’s Deputy Governor to friends and cronies. He clarified that the disputed properties were sold to civil servants and members of the 7th Kwara State House of Assembly on an owner-occupier basis, following approval by the state executive council.
The former Governor also disclosed that the sale was motivated by the federal government’s monetization policy, aimed at reducing the financial burden of maintaining government-owned properties. Additionally, he affirmed that the proceeds from the sale were deposited into the state’s government coffers.
In response to claims of misappropriation, Ahmed highlighted the cancellation of a bank loan obtained to counterpart fund the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) 2013 grant, when the repayment and dwindling federal allocation threatened pressing government obligations.
While acknowledging that local government councils owed their workers and primary school teachers subsisting salary arrears, Ahmed insisted that his administration remained up to date in the payment of state civil servants, including senior secondary teachers.
Ahmed also pointed out that his administration was vindicated after Abdulrazak administration’s allocation was primarily directed towards salaries and pensions.