PRESS RELEASE
Why We
Remain In Support OF Fight Against Corruption – PDP…. Demands Establishment Of
A National Truth Commission
The Leadership of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) hereby reiterates its support for an honest, holistic
and total war against corruption and we demand the trial and prosecution of all
those involved, including those who may have returned ‘loots’ to the government.
However, we are completely
against any one-sided public trial and mob conviction of accused persons
without following the age-long and worldwide legal process wherein all accused
persons are presumed innocent until the contrary is lawfully proved. We do not
believe that mere investigation confers a guilt verdict on those concerned and
the government should stop the brutal mob and public conviction of individuals
and the transfer of the burden of proof of people being investigated.
We restate for emphasis that a
media and public war against corruption is good, but it should not be limited
to only those opposed to the President and the ruling party. In fact,
until top officials of the former government open up on the exact source of the
funding, it remains premature to be accusing our party members of corrupt
practices.
Nevertheless, if indeed the
government’s investigation includes the expenditure of President Jonathan
security votes from 2011, then it should be extended to a public inquisition on
the following:
1. The security votes of all
past Presidents and Heads of state from 1984.
2. The award of contracts by
the Petroleum Trust Fund from 1995 to 1999.
3. The expenditure of our
military purchases and expenditure during the Bakassi wars, the fight against
militancy in the Niger Delta, military interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone,
Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda among others.
4. The source of funding of the
PDP and APC’s 2015 Presidential campaigns; the contributions from APC
controlled state governors for their Presidential campaign and the
beneficiaries thereof.
*Buhari
5.
The allegation that people were made ministers just
to cover up the slush fund that they provided to finance the APC presidential
campaign.
In the light of the way and
manner of this government’s selective prosecution of the war against
corruption, the PDP challenges the government to set up a National Truth
Commission wherein politicians and other Nigerians publicly discuss the true
meaning of corrupt practice in our land. This commission would also provide a
platform for a proper public inquisition into the mind-boggling wealth of some
Nigerians in public office.
Nigerians are quite eager to
learn the business and investment tricks of past and present public officers in
the APC fold, especially former governors, former ministers as well as their
national leader, who suddenly acquired multi-billions investments and are now
reputed to be the richest politicians in the country.
Nevertheless, if indeed
President Muhammadu Buhari in anyway whatsoever desires to probe his opponent
in the Presidential election, he should come out straight instead of going
round in circles.
If indeed the government is
interested in ending sleazes associated with campaign funds, the National Truth
Commission will present an avenue for Nigerians to openly debate the issues
therein with facts and figures.
If truly this government has
provided hundreds of millions of naira to columnists, media analysts and
commentators as well as social media writers and bloggers to castigate, denigrate
and embarrass the PDP and its leaders, then the PDP, being a party that is out
of power and especially against the present hostility of the security agencies,
will publicly approach the Truth Commission with revelations backed with
evidence, facts and figures.
Finally, we state categorically
that the PDP will no longer allow major beneficiaries of its 16 years in power,
especially those with a lot of proven baggage to attempt to adorn a
sanctimonious apparel by castigating and denigrating a party on which platform
they had the opportunity to serve.
Signed:
Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary
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