Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described the panel set up by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to probe the alleged monthly diversion of N300 million local government funds as diversionary.

The governor, on Monday, set up an eight-man panel to probe federal allocations accruing to the 16 councils. The panel is also mandated to probe each council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from May 29, 2019 till date.

But PDP described the panel as ‘kangaroo’, saying the government erred by trying to act as a judge in its own case instead of allowing anti-graft agencies to do their job.

Its spokesperson, Tunde Ashaolu, said in a statement: “AbdulRazaq’s constitution of this ‘kangaroo probe panel’ is an attempt to hoodwink Kwarans and divert attention from the corruption being perpetrated by his exco members. He is using this stage-managed panel to cover up government officials who are at the centre of this case.

“It is strange that the All Progressives Congress-led administration is setting up a panel to investigate its officials accused of corruption rather than allowing statutory anti-graft agencies carry out their responsibilities.

“Our party is concerned that such approach will cover the already exposed shame of the AbdulRazaq administration as the panel will attempt to shield top government officials from prosecution, which will further embolden others to pilfer state resources.

“PDP rejects the procedure under which committee members were appointed by the governor and the calibre of people that make up the panel. Rather than forming a pretentious simulated panel on this matter, the governor, if truly ready to pursue this matter, should have suspended all concerned government officials and allow anti-graft agencies to do their job.”