Akanni slams Peter Rufai's family over Lagos govt largesse

Akanni slams Peter Rufai's family over Lagos govt largesse

By EMMA JEMEGAH

Ex-Nigeria international, Wahidi Akanni has berated the family of late Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai for playing politics with the burial of their late brother.
Reacting to claim by Rufai's family, through Bruce Sonny Rufai, that the Lagos State government has yet to redeem its pledge to N15,000 burial assistance, Akanni lampooned the family of acting in bad fate.
He insisted that the Lagos State government actually pledged N15 million for the burial but the delay in getting the money was actually caused by Rufai's sister, Dele.
"We were to meet the Lagos State government representative on Monday by 12pm but the family came very late. By the time Dele, Bruce and two others from the family arrived at 2.30pm, the Executive Meeting was on. I tried forcing my way in for us to get something, because government money doesn't come immediately but I was prevented from gaining access.
" I'm surprised the family is coming up with such a ridiculous statement when the approval documents are already with Dele, Rufai's sister.
"I'm really disappointed because the family decides to play into the gallery of politics using the visit of Peter Obi to spin lies against me. When we couldn't get the state funds on Monday, I rally round other sources including PFAN and Odion Ighalo and we're able to raise close to N5 million," Akanni said disappointedly.
The former Lagos FA chairman added that the family has succeeded in paying Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's good deeds with insults and repugnantion, stressing that the same Governor who attended the Night of Tributes, who was the first to pay condolence visit to the family.
"The family has just called His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu a fool for all he did to honour our colleague, the late Peter Rufai. This money could be delayed but will come because the documents are already with the family. I'm even disappointed that they are bringing my name into the whole thing when I'm only trying to assist," Akanni lamented.