The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, which won the governorship election conducted last Saturday, warned outgoing officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) not to loot the state treasury, warning that such actions would have dire consequences. The party issued the warning on Wednesday in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, John Akans.
According to the PDP, the APC administration, whose tenure ends on May 29, 2023, after losing its re‑election bid, should not add to the hardships already faced by the people of Plateau State by allowing its officials to plunder the treasury. The statement read: “The general public and the good people of Plateau State are hereby alerted to the dastardly plan by Governor Simon Lalong and some of his officials. The public is urged to report any criminal moves they may sense regarding this alert.”
The PDP claimed to have “good authority” that Plateau State assets in ministries across the state, as well as in Kaduna, Lagos, and Abuja, are being tampered with for private acquisition. It cited detailed reports of several properties undergoing ownership transfers involving serving commissioners and top government officials, and warned those involved in such illegal deals.
Akans specifically called on the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Surveys to note the missing photogrammetry surveying and remote‑sensing machine procured by former Governor Jonah Jang’s administration. He urged the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture to take note of activities at Kuru Livestock Farm, and asked the Permanent Secretaries of Government House, the Policy and Cabinet Office, to be aware that vehicles and other government properties are in the hands of political appointees. He also alleged “shady conduct” within the State Finance Ministry, involving the Accountant General, and mentioned billions of loans allegedly taken by the governor after the lost election.
The PDP added that it has received “credible reports” of emergency contract awards, rushed processing of payment vouchers, and a grand agenda to incur further debt under the guise of project implementation. “There is an elaborate plot to further bankrupt the state and complicate governance under the new administration,” the statement alleged.
The party warned all participants in this criminal endeavour to desist, stating that Permanent Secretaries, Directors of various ministries, and other government agencies will be held accountable. It emphasized that the PDP possesses complete records and inventories of Plateau State assets, including those handed over to the governor by his predecessor in 2015, and therefore any attempt to divert state property or muddle finances will be met with full accountability. “Every government official from top to bottom will be called to account for their handling of government assets,” the statement said, urging bureaucrats to protect their careers by refusing to collaborate with any official engaging in such conduct.
Finally, the PDP appealed to the public, warning that the common patrimony is being tampered with by an administration they have just voted out of office. It pledged to monitor the situation closely and ensure that Plateau State assets remain secure for the benefit of the public. Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Dan Manjang, did not respond to calls for comment on the concerns raised by the state PDP.
Comments are closed for this story.