A Kogi State youth group has launched a scathing attack on Austin Usman Okai, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, labelling him a “well-known propagandist and merchant of fake news” for allegedly spreading misinformation about the state government.
The Kogi Progressives Youth for Good Governance, in a statement released by Secretary-General Adejoh Sylvester Ikani, condemned Okai’s recent social media publications accusing the Kogi State Accountant-General, Dr. Habibat Onumoko, of usurping the roles of other commissioners.
The group dismissed the claims as “nothing more than a fabricated, non-credible, and politically motivated piece of fiction.”
According to the group, Okai’s “track record of misinformation, false narratives, and politically motivated propaganda,” is well known in Kogi political circles.
The group alleged that Okai’s attacks on the Accountant-General and the Ododo administration were part of efforts to destabilize the government.
The group staunchly defended Dr. Onumoko, noting that her role as the chief financial officer of the state is to promote fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.
“Her tireless commitment to prudent financial management has been instrumental in ensuring the efficient utilization of state resources,” the statement read.
They also refuted Okai’s claims that Dr. Onumoko was overstepping her boundaries while reiterating her crucial role in budget implementation and financial oversight.
The youth group further credited the Accountant-General’s office with significant improvements in civil service welfare, including addressing salary and pension payment issues and preventing revenue leakages through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system.
They also pointed to the three consecutive World Bank awards for transparency and accountability received by Kogi State under the previous administration, attributing the accolades to the diligence and expertise of the state’s financial team, including Dr. Onumoko.
The Kogi Progressives Youth for Good Governance reaffirmed their support for Dr. Onumoko and the Ododo-led administration, declaring that “Blackmail Will Not Stop Progress.”
They asserted that the government would not be distracted by “name-calling and baseless accusations” and remains committed to building a better Kogi State.
The statement concluded by urging the public to disregard Okai’s publications as unreliable and politically motivated.
