PDP to EFCC: Probe APC leaders, govs, ex-govs

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to go after corrupt leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, gave the challenge when he received a delegation of PDP members in the Senate at Legacy House, the party’s campaign office in Abuja.
Secondus, who called for President Muhamadu Buhari intervention, said that the anti-graft agency was only going after PDP members in its anti-corruption war leaving those who served under APC uninvestigated.
“ So far, statistics has shown that EFCC has only arrested members of our party, those who have served in previous government.
“But there are APC governors and members, who have served various governments, they have been left alone.
“We believe that a government that is serious with anti corruption crusade cannot be one sided or selective. It should be holistic,’’ Secondus said.
He called on the EFCC to also investigate APC governors rather than targeting only PDP ex-governors and ex-ministers.
“We have seen on the pages of newspapers allegation from Lagos and Rivers states on the ex-governors. What is EFCC doing to those allegations? ” Secondus asked.
The acting chairman, however, assured that the NWC would work with the PDP senate leadership to make sure that they were successful.
Secondus said that from the inauguration of the senate to the election of the senate leadership, the NWC was pleased with the process and those elected.
Also answering question on the allegation that the NWC spent N12 billion within nine months, Secondus said that the figure was not correct.
He said, “what is correct is that from the sales of forms, we raised over N11 billion.’’
“According to our party’s guideline and constitution, this N11 billion was meant to be shared among the states, local governments and the zones.
“The local government will have five per cent, the states; 10 per cent, and the zones; five per cent. That means 20 per cent is taken away from that.
“You are also aware that people went on assignment about 15 per cent is also taken away, the rest I can tell you was used for our campaign and elections.
“Nobody, no member of the NWC has embezzled any money,’’ Secondus said.
He added that the Staff Welfare Association, which made the allegation, had apologised through its letter to the NWC.
“We raised our money and we used our money, that is the correct thing,’’ Secondus added.
Earlier, former Akwa Ibom State governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who led the delegates, said the aim of the visit was to appreciate the NWC for endorsing decision of PDP senate caucus that led to their emergence as senate leaders.
Akpabio, who is the Senate Minority Leader, said that the senate PDP caucus unanimously endorsed the action of the NWC so far since May 29.
“We are very proud working with your committee and today, we pass a vote of confidence on the NWC under the leadership of Secondus.
“We are saying that we are behind you as ambassadors of the senate; we will do our best, positively to project the image of PDP,’’ Akpabio said.
He urged Buhari to carry everybody along in his administration, irrespective of their party affiliations.
He also condemned what he described as interference of the Department of the State Security Services (DSS) in electoral matters by detaining INEC officials only in states being controlled by PDP.
He listed Akwa Ibom, Abia and Rivers as states most harassed by the DSS while INEC officials in APC-controlled states were not invited for interrogation.
“No country in the world can claim they have a democracy when it does not have vibrant and viable opposition.
“So, any group aiming to kill opposition party does not believe in democracy,’’ Akpabio said.
On the PDP internal crisis, between the staff and NWC of PDP, Akpabio said that the senators were happy to note that the staff had written apology letter to the NWC.
Other members of the delegates include the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, Senator Philip Aduda, and others.