Segun Oni says, “I’m a stickler for probity and accountability in public service’’

Mr Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti State and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in 2018’s governorship election, says he has always been a stickler for probity and accountability in public service.

Oni, also the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, said this in a statement signed by Mr Steve Alabi, the Director, Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, (SOCO).

SOCO was reacting to critics that described Oni as being “tight-fisted’’.

Oni said, “If it is my money; I can spend it the way I like, but if it is government’s money or public fund, I cannot do that.

“I was able to achieve much because I cut down on waste and conserved money for the state during my tenure. I’m not uncharitable, no. Government in a state like Ekiti does not have the latitude to spend money recklessly.

“I believe whatever we spend must add value to the society and the people themselves. That does not mean that I have super-glue in my hand,’’ he said.

He said that as the state governor of Ekiti between 2007 and 2010, he eliminated waste from public spending.

He said that his style of governance had helped the state to record monumental infrastructure and social developments that were glaring to the people.

Oni listed them as: massive road construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of public buildings and utilities,

Others are: massive construction of classroom blocks for public primary and secondary schools and provision of social amenities as the dividends of his fiscal policy.

The governorship aspirant assured the people of the state that he would continue to adhere to the principles of probity and accountability for the greater good of the state if elected again.

“I am a firm believer in the empowerment of the generality of the people, rather than handouts to a few “, Oni said.