[size=20pt]“The fact is that Lagos State Government operates at a level of financial management that the likes of Obanikoro and his phantom writers must work very hard to fly to,” Akabueze said.[/size]

Mynd_44: He called him out to a debate? This is classic. After Fashola floored the POP candidate at the last gubernatorial debate, one his commissioners is daring Koro to come have a taste of intelligence.

ilugunboy:

PDP members detest public debates....

GEJ ran away from last Presidential debate.

Oby Ezikwesili has called them out...nobody dare take her up...even Madam Imperial Minister.

So you think Koro will want to embarrass himself with any LASG official?

He thinks Fin. Mgt. is all about cooking local goverment, state ministry, federal ministry and embassy books?

Collins Colz: Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze has replied Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s recent attacks on Governor Bababtunde Fashola on the state’s 2014 budget, describing it as a feigned attack.
According to Akabueze, the former Nigerian ambassador to Ghana is not an economist or financial expert and so he is dabbling into a subject he does not fully understand.
Akabueze said Obanikoro’s recent article on the Lagos State 2014 budget is just as sloppy as the earlier article he wrote on the Lekki Concession Company, LCC, transaction that was full of inaccuracies and shallow theoretical analysis.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to an article purportedly written by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. I know Sen. Obanikoro is not an economist or financial expert and so I suspect someone wrote this piece for him. If my suspicion is right then the author did him great dissservice.
“If, however, Obanikoro wrote this himself, then he will need a lot of education on the subject of public sector budgeting if, as I suspect, he still aspires to govern today’s Lagos State.”
Akabueze said further that Obanikoro’s ‘critical review’ of the State’s budget is replete with phantom figures so much so that it would amount to a waste of time to try to address the inaccuracies individually.
He, therefore, challenged Obanikoro to a public forum to debate the LCC buy-out transaction, the 2014 budget and any other matter relating to management of Lagos State’s economy.
“Obanikoro’s speculative comments about the amounts and timing of Bonds issued, as well as increase in the 2014 recurrent expenditure are very pedestrian. His criticism of the residents registration exercise is dumbfounding as anyone with elementary understanding of economics will appreciate the need for accurate demographic data for planning.
“And by the way, Obanikoro and his shadowy writers would be welcome to a public forum to debate the LCC buy-out transaction, the 2014 budget and any other matter relating to the management of Lagos State’s economy after they have hopefully done their homework.
“The fact is that Lagos State Government operates at a level of financial management that the likes of Obanikoro and his phantom writers must work very hard to fly to,” Akabueze said.
http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/01/07/attack-on-fashola-akabueze-replies-obanikoro/

wiseguy: Budgeting and planning for a state like Lagos is not beans. Obanikoro will dare not try come to such debate. I know Akabueze very well. He sure knows his onions. Fashola didn't just keep him in that position for two tenures for nothing if Akabueze is not a master in the game. If Obanikoro tries it, he will sure live to regret it.

Gold-mind:
Ben Akabueze, a prodigal Igbo son.

Gold-mind:
Ben Akabueze, a prodigal Igbo son.

agbameta: Alahusa boys don't play...lmao

X-factoria:
This is a ploy to cover up!

Why not simply tell us how much Fashola bought his jeeps? Was that not Obanikoro's main allegations? It seems Akabueze is only interested in the LCC buy-out because he suspects that Obanikoro doesn't have all the details but he should tell us in no ambiguous terms how much Fashola bought his jeeps. Period!!!!

X-factoria:
This is a ploy to cover up!

Why not simply tell us how much Fashola bought his jeeps? Was that not Obanikoro's main allegations? It seems Akabueze is only interested in the LCC buy-out because he suspects that Obanikoro doesn't have all the details but he should tell us in no ambiguous terms how much Fashola bought his jeeps. Period!!!!

gregg2: [size=15pt] In case Ben Akabueze pretends not to get Obanikoro's observations :

1) He raised issues about Fashola's two bullet proof cars categorically stating that those cars cost far more than Oduah's

2) The PDP also raised the issue of the Sunborn Yacht scandal

Akabueze should go direct into clearing the air and stop beating about the bush. Alausa theives! They keep exposing themselves [/size]

Omo_Tier1:

Are you so daft? Obanikoro has been challenged to a public debate so why not go tell Him to take up the challenge for real?

gregg2: [size=15pt] In case Ben Akabueze pretends not to get Obanikoro's observations :

1) He raised issues about Fashola's two bullet proof cars categorically stating that those cars cost far more than Oduah's

2) The PDP also raised the issue of the Sunborn Yacht scandal

Akabueze should go direct into clearing the air and stop beating about the bush. Alausa theives! They keep exposing themselves [/size]

Obanikoro and his shadowy writers would be welcome to a public forum to debate the LCC buy-out transaction, the 2014 budget and any other matter relating to the management of Lagos State’s economy after they have hopefully done their homework.

“The fact is that Lagos State Government operates at a level of financial management that the likes of Obanikoro and his phantom writers must work very hard to fly to,” Akabueze said.

Collins Colz:
He, therefore, challenged Obanikoro to a public forum to debate the LCC buy-out transaction, the 2014 budget and any other matter relating to management of Lagos State’s economy.
“Obanikoro’s speculative comments about the amounts and timing of Bonds issued, as well as increase in the 2014 recurrent expenditure are very pedestrian. His criticism of the residents registration exercise is dumbfounding as anyone with elementary understanding of economics will appreciate the need for accurate demographic data for planning.
“And by the way, Obanikoro and his shadowy writers would be welcome to a public forum to debate the LCC buy-out transaction, the 2014 budget and any other matter relating to the management of Lagos State’s economy after they have hopefully done their homework.



http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/01/07/attack-on-fashola-akabueze-replies-obanikoro/

skyfall: In PDP governments, it's outsiders who invite them for debates (which of course they can't honor cos they have nothing to offer).

But in the case of APC, it's the govt that challenges outsiders to a debate.

This obviously tells us a lot about the 2 camps. But more importantly, it's a golden opportunity for the so-called opposition in Lagos State to 'reveal' what's going on in govt to us.

I seriously hope they'll take up Mr. Akabueze's challenge. It'll set a good precedence in the country and really help our democracy.

Ryabcool: MODS! Front Page! Cos you uploaded Obanikoro's rubbish commentary on FP; this reply should be put there too!

gregg2: [size=15pt] In case Ben Akabueze pretends not to get Obanikoro's observations :

1) He raised issues about Fashola's two bullet proof cars categorically stating that those cars cost far more than Oduah's

2) The PDP also raised the issue of the Sunborn Yacht scandal

Akabueze should go direct into clearing the air and stop beating about the bush. Alausa theives! They keep exposing themselves [/size]

Goddex:

The Alausa criminals were also asked to tell the whereabouts of the two Helicopters procured by the Lagos State govt. Akabueze could not answer but instead is vomiting the ramblings of a child thief caught in the act.