Ex-Kwara lawmaker advocates judicious spending among political office holders

A stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, has advocated judicious spending of scarce resources among political office holders towards effective delivery of dividends of democracy to the masses.

In an open letter to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara dated January 23, 2024, the APC chieftain also said that it is imperative for political leaders to hearken to yearnings of the governed, especially, on issues pertaining to governance for possible symbiotic relationship.

Mustapha, who represented Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency of Kwara under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former commissioner in the state, said that his disagreement with Governor Abdulrazaq was unconnected with aborted Kwara Hotel contract.

He said that he got approval to rehabilitate the Kwara Hotel for N3 billion from the state government, adding that the contract was later awarded at N17. 8 billion to another firm.

The letter read in part:

“Between you, me and Almighty Allah, I told you that the figure is completely outrageous and that the N3 billion my company proposed and subsequently got approval for could do the job. I also noted that if for any reason, we have to consider inflation and the exchange rate, then, we can look at a figure around N5 billion. What offence have I committed by telling you the truth?

“I am a professional in hospitality, I know the dynamics of the business and I gave my sincere position as a concerned Kwaran. I know we have a deficit in other key areas like infrastructure, health, Education etc. I rejected taking the unpriced bill you sent to me because I already have approval. You felt challenged by my refusal and you went ahead to award the contract at a staggering sum of N17.8 billion.

“This is not fair, Mr. Governor. You and I know that this figure is unjustifiable and a waste of scarce resources. The good people of Kwara got wind of it and decided to ventilate their opinions as it’s allowed in a democracy. I expected you to have listened to them. They voted you into office, you are supposed to be subservient to them. You are supposed to be a servant and not a dictator that abhors dissent views,” he said.