$1bn: PDP Replies APC, Insists ECA Withdrawal Is A Ruse

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says no amount of finger-pointing by
the APC can justify the fraudulent attempt by the Federal Government to
withdraw $1bn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to finance partisan
activities, adding that APC’s arguments are diversionary and lame.

The PDP also maintained that “the attempt to claim that 11 PDP governors
were part of the approval in a meeting superintended and eminently
directed by Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo was merely begging
the question” and further underpins the manipulative proclivities of the
APC government.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan in a swift reaction
to APC’s defence on Monday noted that the ruling party always paints
holier than thou picture of itself whereas the whole world knows it
reeks of corruption.

“The truth remains that the APC government has been caught in the act
and no amount of diversionary finger-pointing will detract from the fact
that it tried to use the fight against insurgents as a ruse to secure
the money, which they have arranged to spend on extraneous subheads
including partisan activities.

“It is a known fact that under this APC government, monies meant for
insurgency related issues in the northeast had been diverted and that
the only reasons the culprits have not been prosecuted is that they
enjoy the cover of APC government.

“Nigerians have not forgotten how leading members of the APC diverted
funds and sold items meant for insurgency related issues including
relief items for internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the north east.

“How can the APC point accusing fingers when Nigerians are all aware of
the heinous diversion of N5billion meant for the IDPs under the
Presidential Initiative on the Northeast, for which the Senate mounted a
stiff investigation, leading to the indictment of officials of the APC
government?

“What has the APC to say to the open indictment of their former SGF over
the atrocious diversion of N500 million meant for IDP activities in the
northeast?

“Nigerians have equally not forgotten the motion by Senator Baba Kaka
Garba from Borno Central, who last year unveiled how some individuals
known to have connections with the APC fraudulently cornered N1.2
billion from the Federal Government under the guise of supplying items
to IDPs, only for the money to be diverted for other purposes, which we
know are related to APC interests”, the PDP said.

The PDP said Nigerians on daily basis are now counting the exit day for
the APC-led federal government and no amount of propaganda will save the
ruling party from the doomsday.