by ‘Jola Sotubo

Following the opening of a luxury hotel by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, on Sunday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has demanded explanations as to who financed the hotel.

The Lagos Chapter of the PDP also demanded that Governor Fashola come public and declare his assets to prove that he was not stepping beyond his financial boundaries.

In a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, the party reportedly said it had observed that there was a high level of corruption in governance of Lagos State under the present administration.

The party added that many government officials diverted the proceeds from governance into personal businesses.

The party said, “More than ever before, we are convinced that the governor and his predecessor have indeed plunged the state into unnecessary high debt.

“Everyday, we hear Lagos State Government collects huge loans. Presently, the state is indebted to the tune of over N1tn in local and foreign loans.

“In spite of the fact that the state now realises at least N23bn as Internally Generated Revenue every month, Lagos residents are not enjoying improved cheap social-welfare services. What we see instead are new hotels, shopping malls, airlines, banks, private housing estates and construction companies that are linked to the government officials.”

The Lagos State PDP consequently reiterated its demand that Fashola must make public his asset or face its wrath.

“The party has now given the governor 14 days within which to make public his assets or the masses shall be mobilized for a protest to demand same,” the state PDP added.