Sanwo-Olu denies spending $470m on AFCON trip

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has denied spending $470 million of state funds in joining the delegation of the Federal Government to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Mr Sanwo-Olu was part of the delegation led by Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who watched the Round of 16 match between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement on Sunday alleged that Sanwo-Olu donated $5,000 to each member of the Nigerian team which won the match 3-2.

In response, the governor’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, denied the allegations in a statement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu did not make any withdrawal for the purpose of attending the AFCON in Egypt,” the statement said.

It added: “Is it not laughable therefore that PDP will resort to issuing press statements based on fake news on social media? Does it not stand logic on its head to allege that Governor Sanwo-Olu spent $470m to fund a trip that he was nominated as a delegate?

“As we have always stated, we will again suggest to the Lagos state PDP and her spokesman to always fact check before putting pen on paper. Opposition politics is not built on lies and fake news.”