The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have continued to trade words even with the 2019 elections just about a month away.
In the latest war of words between the two major parties in Nigeria, the PDP accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s family allegedly diverting funds meant for the prosecution of the Boko Haram war.
The opposition party called on the Interpol to “Investigate The Alleged Diversion of Military Funds By Buhari’s Family”.
Kola Ologbondiyan the PDP spokesman made the call while addressing the press on Wednesday, January 2.
The party also alleged that there is a fresh plot by the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency and the APC to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the 2019 general elections.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) calls for an urgent investigation into the alleged link between the reportedly diverted military funds and the N1.032 trillion said to have been used by President Muhammadu Buhari’s family members for corrupt acquisition in 9 Mobile Nigeria and Keystone Bank PLC.
“The PPCO calls for an independent and system-wide investigation by the INTERPOL, Directorate of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the alleged links between the two funds.
“This concerted investigation has become imperative following President Buhari’s failure to directly speak out on the allegations against his family members, as well as explain how they came about the sum of N1.032 trillion for the alleged acquisition.
“We make this demand in view of public insinuations that the money may have been sourced from funds meant for the purchase of weapons for our soldiers.
“More so, the Buhari Presidency has blatantly refused to respond to allegations that military fund is being used to finance President Buhari’s re-election campaign which even manifested in the use of military resources to produce APC’s campaign materials, including an electronic memento book by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali,” a statement by the PDP read in parts.
The PDP also said it was deeply worried by the disturbing videos of our gallant soldiers languishing and being killed by insurgents due to neglect.
It said it is unhappy by similar videos, showing our soldiers protesting and threatening to retreat from the fronts while grumbling against their neglect by the Buhari administration.
“This should not be the way to go for our nation. Our soldiers are brave and have continued to show the highest form of professionalism and unmatched patriotism in risking and laying down their lives in defence of fatherland. Therefore, any action by anybody that is capable of reducing their morale in the fronts must never be allowed,” the opposition party said.
The PDP urged President Muhammadu Buhari President to answer to allegations that his family had used national funds in acquiring substantial shares in both the 9 Mobile and Keystone Bank Plc that is worth over a N1 trillion.
Atiku Abubakar Should Throw In The Towel, APC Replies
In reply to claims by the PDP, the APC has said that “The widely published refutal by investors in Etisalat and Keystone Bank that the family members of President Buhari have nothing to do with both companies is another indication of the fast-collapsing campaign of the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the PDP”.
According to the APC, “The result of the fact-check which was published in some news outlets, clearly shows the depth of desperation, deceit and debauchery to which the Atiku campaign has sunk. They have no moral compass, no scruples, no direction in their present attempt to smear just everyone in sight in order to run a campaign of ‘we-are-all-corrupt.”
Speaking on behalf of the party, Festus Keyamo asked Atiku to respect the feelings of Nigerians by offering “clear-cut responses to straight-forward allegations of tax-evasion, grand corruption in and out of office, impending sealed indictment waiting for him in the US”.
Keyamo opined that Atiku Abubakar “has decided to drag the world down with him as he goes down in a blaze of infamy. He has decided to go wild with unsubstantiated allegations against the President and Vice President, throwing caution to the wind in the process”.
He said, “We alerted the public about this impending avalanche of fake news a few days ago. This is the classic hallmark of a sinking campaign boat, clutching at straws, as Nigerians have woken up to the realisation that these are deceitful people who have nothing to offer. That is how its Vice-Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi was reeling out false statistics with a straight face throughout the Vice-Presidential debate. Till today, he has not apologized to Nigerians for taking them for a ride. It is a real shame”.
“We call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to apologize to Nigerians and especially the family of the President for adopting these unwholesome tactics and telling tales by moonlight that has clearly backfired,” the APC spokesman said.