A former deputy governor in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore has insisted that the present administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the state is the most corrupt state government Nigeria has ever had since independence.
Reacting to the accusations made by Aregbesola that Omisore defaulted in tax payment from 2014 till date, the former lawmaker alleged that Aregbesola’s government was the most corrupt because the governor and his party, the All Progressives Congress, plunged the state into indebtedness.
Omisore, in a statement made available to journalists by his media aide on Tuesday, Jide Fakorede, said Aregbesola’s claims were wild and unsubstantiated.
He said, “Our attention has again been drawn to another false and cheap press release by the sinking government in Osun State. It is a continuation of their mischievously orchestrated falsehood and diversionary tactics aimed at unwittingly gaining public sympathy. Rather than focus on the salient issues we have raised, they resorted to a campaign of calumny aimed at tarnishing the image and credibility of Senator Iyiola Omisore. It is too late for that. I maintain that your government is the most corrupt since Nigeria gained independence.
“What has Tax got to do with our accusation of bankruptcy? Is it that Aregbesola couldn’t give any proper account of his almost 8-year tenure in Osun? Is it that he forged police report in 2008 to grab power through Salamigate? Is it that he rigged 2014 gubernatorial election as revealed in that YouTube video? Is it payment and non-payment of tax that caused the N8.6bn Opon imo scam or the endless woes and misfortunes in Osun since 2010? These are questions we demand answers.
“For the records, Senator Omisore is a professional engineer and consultant extraordinary, who regularly pays taxes even on his firms beyond personal income tax. He has never defaulted in his payments. His tax clearance certificates issued by relevant agencies of governments are available for verification. Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), NSITF, ITF, Federal Reporting Council of Nigeria, PENCOM, among others, have records of Senator Omisore and his firms’ prompt payments.
“We urge APC and Aregbesola to stop these wild and unsubstantiated allegations cum fabrications and face serious governance. We ask them again to list their achievements like Omisore listed his when he was in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Their smear campaign will never work. September 2018 shall end the slavery and mega fraud in Osun.”
