We Never Awarded $800m Contract — Kwara Government

The Kwara State government stated that it has never awarded a contract to the elder brother of the governor, who is also the Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq.

The government made this clarification on Thursday in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju.

The statement described an accusation attributed to Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq awarded a contract worth $800 million (N1.2 trillion) as false, reckless, ill-conceived, and intended to cause mischief and public dissatisfaction.

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

The statement noted that, “Throughout the radio programme, Alhaji Iliasu and his co-travellers did not mention the specific Federal Government’s project or programme that he claimed was awarded to Dr Alimi. The governor’s elder brother.”

Olukoju further described Dr Alimi as an accomplished and respected senior lawyer and a Bencher. “He is not a contractor.

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

“Whilst Alhaji Iliasu has a history of queer public conduct 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.“

The Commissioner added, “We concede the right of every citizen to freedom of expression. However, such freedom comes with corresponding responsibility and a duty of care to other citizens and the general public.”

The Kwara State Government called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) “to do justice in this matter as soon as possible”, stressing that “other private citizens maligned in the reckless radio programme are within their right to do a review of the same.”