Governor of Bayelsa State, Diri Douye, has described an allegation that the N3 billion Agricultural loan obtained by his state from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was diverted as false and cheap blackmail.
Diri, in reaction to the allegation on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, said there was a smear campaign aimed at arm twisting him to make some appointments into his administration.
Dr John Idumange, a former General Manager of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, had accused the Governor of diverting a N3 billion Agricultural Loan obtained by the immediate past administration of Sen. Seriake Dickson.
Idumange, who was an aide on Research and Documentation to Dickson, claimed that the present administration was diminishing the efforts of the immediate past government.
Idumange also afterwards claimed that he had reported the alleged fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, Diri, who said he was not averse to constructive criticisms, dismissed the allegations as a mere ploy by Idumange to attract attention for personal aggrandisement.
“Let me start by saying that our administration welcomes criticism provided that they are constructive but this one on diversion of N3 billion is clearly a falsehood.
“Let me state it clearly in the full glare of the press thal I shall not succumb to this cheap blackmail targeted to ‘knock my head’ against that of former Gov. Seriake Dickson. The plot has failed.
“I want to warn Chief dumange that I cannot be intimidated by this blackmail into giving out appointments. The CBN has said that no funds were diverted and clearly the N3 billion is not in the treasury of Bayelsa government.
“The CBN manages the funds being warehoused in Access Bank. So, we do not have access to the funds, and if CBN has said the funds are not missing, then the allegations are simply false,” Diri said.
Meanwhile, the former governor, Sen. Dickson, in a statement issued on Friday, distanced himself from the allegations, while urging his supporters to close ranks and work for the success of Diri’s administration.
(NAN)