Former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, has challenged the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, t
Former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, has challenged the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, to carry out his threat to reveal details of the running costs of the principal officers of the National Assembly. He however added that Sagay should also include that of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ministers, special advisers to the President, and other top government functionaries, including himself.
Okupe said failure by Sagay to give correct figures of the running costs of all top members of the Buhari government and the leadership of the federal parliament within 24 hours will affect his credibility. Okupe said, “I find the threat by Professor Sagay on allowances and running costs of the leadership of the National Assembly very interesting. It will aid our fight for transparency in public affairs. However, he should not be selective. For us to take him seriously, he should include details of the running cost of the office of the President, Vice President, mnisters, special advisers, heads of government agencies, parastatals and even himself. Afterall, all the salaries, allowances and running cost come from the same public coffers.”
Okupe also challenged Sagay to disclose how much he is paid, and how much he spends on his numerous trips within and outside the country from funds donated by international agencies. He said, “For Prof. Sagay to say that the country would explode if he gives out certain figures is inciting, considering the current volatile and tensed situation in the country. It will also be interesting if Sagay can tell Nigerians the achievements of his committee in the last 30 months that it has been spending government money.
“With the Corruption Perception Index rating recently released by Transparency International, it does appear that Sagay’s committee has neither helped Nigeria nor the President who set up his committee and funded it with tax- payers’ money. Sagay should sit down with members of his committee and develop position papers and policies that will actually help the anti-corruption war and make it more effective.”
