Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Monday denied accusing the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, of interfering in the operations of the commission.
Ibikunle in a statement titled,”We Never Accuse Special Duties Minister Of Interfering In Lottery’s Commission Operations”, he personally signed and made available to THISDAY in Ibadan, Monday, said there is no iota of truth in a publication credited to him accusing the Minister of doing that, stating that there was never a time the Governing Board or any of its members whether privately or publicly accused the minister of any wrong doing.
He maintained that the governing board under his leadership has great respect for Akume, insisting that the publication was by mischief makers out to strain the relationship between the board and the Minister.
According to him, “The Governing Board under my chairmanship has profound respect for the office of the Minister and the person of Senator George Akume, a two term Governor of Benue State, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an accomplished public servant, a successful business man and a flourishing politician that has distinguished himself, meritoriously in both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“The false news story, clearly a hatchet job was planted by mischief makers to cause disaffection between the Governing Board and our highly respected Minister with the intent to destroy the excellent relationship existing between us and Senator George Akume. It has not worked and will never work.”
