Kogi Fires Back at CISLAC, Dismisses Security Fund Allegations as Politically Motivated »

The Kogi State Government has strongly rejected allegations by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) concerning the management of the state’s Security Operations Account, describing the claims as politically motivated, speculative and completely devoid of evidence.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government accused CISLAC of abandoning the principles of fairness, diligence and objectivity by making sweeping allegations without presenting any investigative findings, verifiable evidence or reports from any competent authority.

The government expressed concern that an organisation that claims to champion accountability would publish serious allegations while admitting that no anti-corruption agency has established wrongdoing against the Kogi State Government.

According to the statement, maintaining security requires substantial and continuous investments in intelligence gathering, operational logistics, communications infrastructure, surveillance systems, mobility, community engagement and strategic support for security agencies.

The government noted that Kogi State has over the years invested heavily in strengthening its security architecture, resulting in improved intelligence gathering, enhanced operational response and stronger collaboration among security agencies.

These investments, it said, have played a significant role in making Kogi one of the safest states in the country despite its strategic position as a gateway linking Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Fanwo faulted attempts to portray transactions from a security operations account to companies, contractors and service providers as suspicious, explaining that security interventions necessarily involve the engagement of logistics providers, equipment suppliers, maintenance contractors, transport operators and other essential service providers.

“It is irresponsible to equate the existence of financial transactions with evidence of diversion. Such conclusions can only be reached through investigation, verification and due process, not through assumptions and sensational headlines,” the statement said.

The government further argued that CISLAC contradicted itself by acknowledging that the allegations remained unproven while simultaneously presenting them as established facts.

According to the statement, the publication’s timing is also noteworthy, coming at a period when political activities are beginning to gather momentum across the country.

The government observed that such periods often witness attempts by vested interests to weaponise misinformation, half-truths and manufactured controversies against governments and public officials who refuse to compromise due process for personal or political advantage.

While refraining from speculating on the sponsors of the publication, the government maintained that some individuals are uncomfortable with a system that prioritises transparency, fairness and due process over narrow personal interests.

The statement stressed that rather than accept outcomes produced by democratic institutions and credible processes, such individuals often seek alternative platforms to advance narratives aimed at distracting attention from government achievements.

The Ododo Administration highlighted what it described as significant progress in security, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education and investment promotion, insisting that public resources are being prudently deployed to improve the lives of citizens and strengthen public institutions.

The government said the people of Kogi State remain the ultimate witnesses to the impact of investments in security through enhanced operational capacity among security agencies, growing investor confidence and expanding economic activities across the state.

It maintained that these realities cannot be erased by politically motivated allegations.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the government welcomed lawful scrutiny of public institutions and challenged any individual or organisation with credible evidence of wrongdoing to submit such evidence to appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.

The statement assured residents that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration remains committed to prudent management of public resources, strengthening security architecture and protecting lives and property across the state.

“No amount of misinformation, speculation or politically motivated distractions will deter this administration from its responsibility to secure lives, support security agencies and deepen partnerships that guarantee peace, stability and sustainable development in Kogi State,” the statement added.

End