PDP to APC: Come clean on N40bn FIRS fund allegedly used for campaigns

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the All
Progressives Congress (APC) to come clean on allegations in the
public space that it siphoned N40 billion taxpayers’ money from the
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to finance its 2019
campaigns.

The party, in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the allegation had unsettled
certain persons in the Buhari Presidency.

The PDP said the development had further vindicated its position
that the APC was an “extremely callous and hypocritical party,
which has no iota of conscience but takes delight in depriving our
citizens and pillaging resources meant for the wellbeing of our
people.”

The opposition party said it was shameful that instead of being
remorseful, agents of the APC were reportedly engaging in dirty
infighting over how the money was allegedly shared.

“The PDP cautions the APC not to take Nigerians for a ride with
its usual diversionary empty denials, finger pointing, hauling of
insults and spurious accusations against the PDP, as the public
already has reports of how very top leaders of the APC, including
those operating at the Presidency, were used to conduit the money
from the FIRS.

“The PDP holds that in a nation battling the scourge of
corruption, misrule, huge unemployment, unprecedented
infrastructural decay, insecurity, hunger and untold hardship, such
a humongous allegation must not be allowed to go under the usual
APC carpet.

“Our party submits that since the APC has been overtly indicted,
it should come clean by refunding the N40 billion to the public
coffers from where it should be channeled to job creation projects
without further delay,” the party said.

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NUJ Warns EFCC over Office of the Sun
Newspapers

The NUJ is worried by the recent developments at The Sun
Newspapers in Lagos where the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission had given a notice to staff of the organisation to
vacate the premises and allow for a take over by the
Commission.

The EFCC said it will enforce a court judgement which ordered
for the seizure of property belonging to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who
was convicted of fraud.

While we appreciate the efforts of EFCC at fighting corruption
in the country but we hasten to caution that any attempt to throw
Journalists out of work for whatever reason in such a hasty manner
is not good for democracy. The media as pivots to good governance
and democracy must be allowed to flourish unhindered. We therefore
urge for restraint in this regard to allow for the appeal filed to
be determined first before any decision is taken.

We are afraid that moving hurriedly to seal off The Sun may be
misconstrued as politically motivated. This action regrettably is
being taken without any consideration to the essence of preserving
vibrant and virile journalism at this time when the profession is
facing increasing challenges. We need to preserve the jobs of the
media workers in The Sun Newspapers by being circumspect and
prudent in this respect.

Shuaibu Usman Leman
Walin Shadalafiya
National Secretary