Kwara Govt, PDP React To Iliasu Ibrahim’s Claims Of Secret Award Of $800m Contract To Gov Abdulrazaq’s Elder Brother

The disclosure made by a former member of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Iliasu Ibrahim while appearing on an SBS Radio’s programme a few days ago, has become a topical issue in the State of Harmony.

The state government and the state PDP have reacted differently to the claims of alleged secret award of contract to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s elder brother, Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq.

Hon Ilyasu Ibrahim, who was one of the Ò Tọ̀ Gẹ́ crusaders in 2019, had alleged that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq secretly awarded a contract that has $800 million as its project cost to Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq.

As expected, the opposition party, PDP latched on to this and demanded immediate public explanation from the governor, full disclosure of all contracts awarded since 2019, including beneficiaries, project costs, and procurement processes, disclosure of the company’s name, project details, and funding source of the contract in question and immediate investigation into the alleged $800 million contract by the state house of assembly.

Reacting to the assertions made by Hon Iliasu Ibrahim, the state Government in a statement issued by Hon Bolanle Olukoju, the Commissioner for Communications, submitted that the Abdulrazaq administration did not at any point in time award any contract to Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq, who is the Mutawali of Ilorin .

The statement added that Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim’s allegation that the governor awarded a contract worth $800 million (N1.2 trillion) to his elder brother is false, reckless, ill-conceived, and intended to cause mischief and public dissatisfaction. 

‘At no point in time did the state government even award a contract worth $800 million. We are, therefore, alarmed by the depth of recklessness and evil intent that made Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim claim during a radio programme that His Excellency awarded a contract or an empowerment worth $800 million to his elder brother. This is false, baseless, and malicious. 

Throughout the radio programme, Alhaji Iliasu and his co-travellers did not mention the specific FG’s project or programme that he claimed was awarded to Dr. Alimi. The governor’s elder brother, Dr. Alimi, is an accomplished and respected senior lawyer and a Bencher. He is not a contractor.

Besides, at no point in time did Kwara get a Federal Government project or empowerment worth $800m (N1.2 trillion) — much less award it to anyone in the state. But particularly concerning is how a radio station allowed its platform to peddle such a disinformation without anyone on its management team cautioning the guest and the anchor. 

Whilst Alhaji Iliasu has a history of queer public conducts long managed by everyone, repeatedly offering such persons a platform to cause mischief and incite public disaffection on a grander scale carries immeasurable risk for any reputable media platform and public peace. 

We concede the right of every citizen to freedom of expression. However, such a freedom comes with corresponding responsibility and a duty of care to other citizens and the general public’ the statement said. 

Hon Olukoju also noted that the state government expects the regulatory body, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to do the needful.

‘As democrats, we request the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to do justice in this matter as soon as possible while other private citizens maligned in the reckless radio programme are within their right to do a review of  the same’ she said.

Since the end of Abdulrazaq’s first term in 2023, there has been no love lost between the governor and Hon Iliasu Ibrahim.

Hon Rotimi Iliasu, who is Hon Iliasu Ibrahim’s son, had served as Commissioner for Works during Governor Abdulrazaq’s first term.

The former commissioner has also parted ways with his former boss.

In a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Adewara on Thursday which was made available to Team@orientactualmags.com, the state PDP described the reaction by the state government through Hon Bola Olukoju as ‘panicky, evasive, and poorly coordinated’.

 The party submitted that it is important that the governor and his elder brother speak directly to the people while also issuing a 5-point demand.

‘We use this medium to demand 

1. A direct public explanation from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

2. A personal statement from Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq addressing the allegation.

3. A complete list of all contracts awarded since 2019, including beneficiaries and the project costs.

4. A forensic review of the 200 transformer contract involving Mr. Abdulrazaq who allegedly absconded with 85% of the funds.

5. Protection of SBS FM and other media houses from intimidation and state-sponsored harassment’ the party added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you