The alleged bribe money had been linked with the controversial arms deal.
The party, in a statement on Sunday jointly signed by the state Chairman, Chief Olu Agemo, and the Secretary, Clement Adeniyi, and made available to journalists in Abeokuta, disclaimed the former Secretary to the Federal Government, saying that Falae was on his own over the issue.
Falae, who had confirmed receiving the money, however, claimed he never knew the money given to him was from the money meant for the purchase of arms to prosecute the war against the Boko Haram insurgents, under the former National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki.
The scam had resulted in a probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, with many prominent Nigerians already caught in its dragnet.
In the strongly worded letter, the chapter declared that “it was never notified of or involved in any negotiation to partner the Peoples Democratic Party or any other party for the purpose of winning the election or maintaining peace during the period, as claimed by Falae.”
The statement read further, “The party was never informed by the national secretariat of the party of the decision to adopt former President Goodluck Jonathan or any other candidate as the party’s presidential candidate.”
Again, the Ogun chapter of the party averred that it was never informed of any donation of funds to the party by the PDP or any other party, adding that it did not receive any financial or campaign logistics in form of assistance from the national secretariat of the party or any of its principal officers.
In the two page statement, it further stated that in April 2015, it made its position clear on the sources of its campaign funding through advertised publications in The Guardian, The Vanguard, The PUNCH and Nigerian Tribune newspapers of Monday April 20, before the current revelation.
The statement added, “We plead with our members and supporters who have received these untoward revelations with great shock to remain calm and await the convocation of a general meeting where these issues shall be thoroughly discussed and appropriate decisions would be taken.”
However, the state chapter had restated its commitment to building an egalitarian society, as espoused by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
It added, “We assure you that the SDP in Ogun State will continue to operate within ethical and moral norms, as laid out in the principles of progressive welfarism established by our progenitor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the struggle to establish an egalitarian, peaceful and equitable nation.”
According to the EFCC, there is the option of returning the money or facing trial, some of the beneficiaries of the Arms procurement scandal include former governors Peter Odili (N100m); Rashidi Ladoja(N100m), Attahiru Bafarawa(N100m), Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (N100m), and Jim Nwobodo(N500m).
Others are: Chief Tony Anenih(N260m); ex-PDP National Chairman Ahmadu Ali(N100m); Chief Bode George (N100m/ $30,000), Yerima Abdullahi (N100m); Chief Olu Falae (N100m); Tanko Yakassai (N63m); Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki(N200m); Raymond Dokpesi, Iyorchia Ayu’s company(N345m); BAM Properties(N300m); Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5b); ex-PDP National Chairman Mohammed Bello Haliru, Abba Mohammed, Sagir Attahiru, serving and former members of the House of Representatives(over N600 million); former Chairman of the House of Representatives on Security and Intelligence, Bello Matawalle(N300m); ACACIA Holdings(N600m); Bashir Yuguda (N1,950,000) and many companies.
Sources: Punch, The Nation
No comments:
Post a Comment