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Oyo not in top 10 list of debtor-states, Ajimobi downplays N150bn debt profile

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Oyo not in top 10 list of debtor-states, Ajimobi down plays N150bn debt profile

The immediate past governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi has down played accusations that he left a huge N150 billion behind as debt for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

Describing the constant reference to the state’s debt profile as unnecessary mudslinging, the former governor argued with the debt profile, Oyo still does not belong to the top ten list of debtor-states as published by the Office of Debt Management, DMO.

Ajimobi stated this when he spoke to journalists at his Oluyole, Ibadan residence, after observing the Eid-el- Kabir prayer at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.

Governor Seyi Makinde had alleged that the Ajimobi’s administration left behind a huge debt profile, which according to him, made the state insolvent.

Ajimobi said: “If you look at the debts owed by each state in the country as published by the DMO, you will see that Oyo State is not even among the first 10 with heaviest debts.

“The United States is the number one debtor in the world. Government by nature and establishment must continue to have debt. They must be able to use people’s money to make money.”

Read also: Allegations our citizens are killing Nigerians untrue —South African Govt

The former governor explained that 50 per cent of the debt owed by his administration was part of the World Bank loan taken by previous governments in the state and that less than 30 per cent of the amount had been accessed.

Speaking further on allegations that his aides drove official vehicles away, the former governor said his appointees paid for them based on the decision taken by his government, adding that there were official documents on the transactions.

He however urged the incumbent administration to beam its searchlight on civil servants who had allegedly driven some of the vehicles to mechanic workshops.

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