Stepping up to Set the Record Straight: The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Fights Back Against Unfounded Corruption Allegations
Construction Projects worth ₦13 Billion Allegedly Granted Without Proper Procedures; Wale Edun Refutes Accusations
In a bold move to clear his name, Minister of Finance Wale Edun has unequivocally denied accusations that he awarded contracts worth a whopping ₦13 billion without adhering to due process. This unfounded allegation, according to sources, aimed to smear his image, along with that of his Permanent Secretary, Lydia Shehu Jafiya.
The Minister's staunch denial was conveyed in a statement released by the Ministry's Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, on a busy Monday.
As it turns out, rumors swirled that the Minister and the Permanent Secretary had joined forces to award these significant contracts clandestinely between February and June 2024.
However, Edun vehemently refuted these claims, declaring them as a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation and that of his colleague. He firmly asserted that all contracts under his watch, including those related to the Presidential Initiatives on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), were executed in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and other relevant laws and regulations.
The ministry's statement vehemently dismissed any allegations of corruption or irregularities, labeling them baseless and without merit. The public was urged to disregard these claims, as the ministry upholds transparency and accountability in its operations.
The statement continued, emphasizing its commitment to streamlining Nigeria's economy according to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. The ministry also appealed to the media to exercise caution, encouraging them to fact-check information before publication to avoid propagating falsehoods.
Such sensationalized accusations, the ministry argued, are designed to distract from the crucial economic reforms being implemented to improve the lives of Nigerians.
In other news, Nigeria's entry into the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signifies a significant leap in the nation's financial and economic standing. Moreover, with the Financial Minister acknowledging the ongoing forensic audit of NNPCL, it's evident that the country is moving towards greater accountability and transparency.
Minister Wale Edun firmly maintains that he adhered to the Public Procurement Act and relevant laws during the awarding of ₦13 billion in contracts, a claim that counters allegations of corruption or irregularities. The ministry, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to streamlining Nigeria's economy and financial operations, as evidenced by the country's recent entry into the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The financial minister's acknowledgment of the ongoing forensic audit of NNPCL further demonstrates a move towards greater accountability and transparency in Nigeria's business sector.
