The Chairman, Governing Board, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, has debunked the report in some sections of the media alleging the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, of interfering in the operations of the Commission.
Ibikunle, while frowning at the said publication, insisted that there was no iota of truth in the publication.
According to him, there was never a time the Governing Board or any of its members whether privately or publicly accused the Minister of any wrongdoing.
In a statement personally signed by the Chairman of National Lottery Regulatory Commission on Monday, Ibikunle said;
“My attention has been drawn to a news item published by a section of the Nigerian media, where it was falsely alleged that the Governing Board of the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission accused the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume of interfering in the operations of the commission.
“I want to say categorically that there is no iota of truth in the publication as there was never a time the Governing Board or any of its members whether privately or publicly accused the minister of any wrongdoing.”
“The Governing Board under my Chairmanship has a profound respect for the office of the Minister and the person of Senator George Akume, a two-term Governor of Benue State, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an accomplished public servant, a successful businessman and a flourishing politician that has distinguished himself, meritoriously in both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“The false news story, clearly a hatchet job was planted by mischief makers to cause disaffection between the Governing Board and our highly respected Minister with the intent to destroy the excellent relationship existing between us and Senator George Akume. It has not worked and will never work.”