Top gubernatorial Aspirant of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Hon. Banji Okunomo, has called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to invite Ondo State Commissioner of Finance for questioning to explain how governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu spent the 13% derivation fund accrued to the state government in the last 2 years. 

Okunomo made the call through a statement he made available to newsmen in Akure on Tuesday, while condemning the alleged brutalisation of protesting Youths of Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State by the Police based on the governor’s alleged instruction. 

“I hereby call on the Federal Government to suspend further release of 13% derivation fund to Akeredolu’s government not until full scale investigation is carried out on the management and spending of all monies received on the 13% derivation from inception of his administration.”

“The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) should also invite the Commissioner of Finance to investigate how the governor spent the 13% derivation fund from inception till date because there is no impact of such fund neither from the 40 percent due OSOPADEC monthly nor the 60percent meant for the entire State.”

The PDP Aspirant described the brutalisation of the protesting youths as inhuman and barbaric.

“The brutalisation of the protesting Youths of Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State by the Police acting on the instruction of the Akeredolu-led Administration is not only inhuman, but also barbaric.”

“Any Government that unleashes horrors on the innocent citizens in the course of of legitimate protest against obnoxious administration can only be described as a tyrannical and undemocratic government.”

He said the demand by the protesting youths is legitimate and in accordance with the law that established OSOPADEC.

“The demand of the affected youths for the autonomy of the OSOPADEC which is lawfully created to manage only 40% of the 13 Percent derivation fund accruing to the state government on monthly basis is legitimate and in accordance with the law that established the Commission.”

“It is very obvious and incontrovertible that since the birth of Akeredolu – led government in Ondo State, the Commission (OSOPADEC) has not embarked on a single project in the mandate area of Ondo State.”

“It is sad and highly uncivilised for the police to allow itself to be used as instrument to brutalise peaceful protesters who carried ordinary placards and banners to express their grievances to government,” Okunomo added.