Joined at the press conference by five other commissioners, Mr. Maku stated that the criticisms which are led and sponsored by Senator Haruna Abubakar started sometime in December 2001 when a reception was organized for the erstwhile Minister of State, FCT. It was there that Senator Haruna Abubakar used the occasion to launch an attack on the Government and Governor Abdullahi Adamu. He said Government decided to remain silent in the hopes that the group, led by Senator Abubakar, would see reason and follow the path of objectivity. It does seem however, that the group has gotten more desperate. According to Maku, in recent weeks the group has decided to carry its campaign of slander a step further by attempting to drag Governor Abdullahi Adamu to the Anti-Corruption Tribunal for alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of funds with the connivance of Fortune Bank International.

The Commissioners present at the press conference each gave a detailed description of the projects embarked by the Government and for which it continues to receive accolades by the day. These projects include the Karu International Market, the Akwanga Packaging Company, the Fertilizer Blending Plant in Lafia and various projects in the educational and social sectors. Elaborating further, Mr. Maku said of immediate interest to the public is that contrary to the petitions by this group most of the projects for which the state government sought the support of Fortune Bank International have been completed. The Karu International Market was completed last year. The Nasara Packaging Plant, which is being built by the South Koreans, is completed and has started production. The bank also graciously accepted to fund the Nasarawa Integrated Rural Water Scheme. All the equipment ordered abroad for the massive water supply project, which affects all the 147 electoral wards in the State, have arrived and are being installed.

The Commissioner mentioned achievements in the area of education as including the renovation of all primary and secondary schools in the state, the establishment of tertiary institutions in the state culminating in the establishment of the state University in Keffi. On the President’s visit to the state, Mr. Maku said the visit was planned three times, but had to be cancelled at the instance of the President who had other important state functions clashing with the dates of the visit.

In conclusion, the Commissioner urged Senator Abubakar and his colleagues to stop using front as signatories to their petition, but come out plainly and own up to their activities. He said it was un-necessary to use fronts when one had his facts.

The Commissioners who attended the Press conference were those of Commerce and Industries, Luka Damishi; Education, Dr. Emmanuel Okpede; Water Resources and Rural Development, Abubakar Akriga; Justice, Tanimu Adabson II and Finance, Dr. Shaibu. Journalists from various media houses around the country were in attendance.