*Fires back at accusers

Governor Babatunde Fahola of Lagos State responded personally for the first time yesterday to allegations of corruption levelled at him by describing the allegations as baseless and having no substance whatsoever.

The group had  petitioned the State House of Assembly to investigate the executive arm for sundry allegations such as financial misconducts. The move has however  been put on hold following a High Court ruling ordering the lawmakers to suspend any investigation into the allegations because they have no right to do so.

Answering questions from reporters at a press conference to commemorate the third year anniversary of his administration in  Ikeja, the governor said  his administration was more than ready to defend everything it has done in the last three years including  the allegations levelled at him  by the group, at the appropriate time.

Fashola added that his  long silence on the allegations was guided by the fact that none of the allegations is  true, and declared that he would not yield to any form of distraction.

His words: “I have said this in one of my addresses that at the appropriate time we would respond, but let me say here that when you confront us with evidence, we would respond. But we would not respond to allegations that are not factual. I and my colleagues stand here to offer our integrity to serve you for the confidence you reposed in us and we remain ever ready to defend what we have done in the last three years.

“We would not be distracted by allegations that have no substance”.

However, Fashola also added that his decision to keep away from responding to questions on the allegations was also based on the fact that the State House of Assembly was already performing its constitutional role of conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations.

Fashola continued: “The House of Assembly empowered by the constitution to make laws has also called an investigation into the matter, so what can we do? Another arm of government (Judiciary) says hold on for a while and let’s sort things out, so for me, I’ll say, let’s allow the instruments of government to do their job”.

He hinted that he might seek a second term in office as governor in next year’s election.