THERE is a crack in the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the ongoing trial of some stalwarts of the party in the alleged diversion of $2.1billion arms procurement scandal (aka Dasukigate) into the presidential campaign.
Former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda and five others have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Peter Afen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja on a 22-count charge of conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust.
Yuguda was charged alongside with a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd); a former Director of Finance and Administration in the NSA Office, Shuaibu Salisu; former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafawara, his son, Sagir and Dalhatu Investment Limited.
Former Acting National Chairman, Dr Haliru Bello, is also being investigated over the alleged diversion. Bello is the Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT).
But while the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prince Uche Secondus has dismissed the ongoing trial as mere witchhunt and cautioned against media indictment of the suspects before their proper conviction by the court, the body of National Vice Chairmen of the PDP at the end of their meeting on Tuesday affirmed support for the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration.
In a communique signed by the National Vice-Chairman, South-South and secretary of the body, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the forum dissociated the main opposition party from any corrupt practices and further vowed to take disciplinary actions against any of its chieftains, who may be convicted in the ongoing trial.
The communique read in part:” At a meeting held on December 29, 2015 in Abuja, the body of National Vice Chairmen of the PDP notes as follows:
- That the body supports the anti-corruption drive of the Buhari’s administration;
- The body affirms that if corruption is not eradicated, the growth of Nigeria as a nation will remain stunted.
“We therefore, dissociate the party completely from any corrupt practices while the party was in power.
The body notes with great concern the various allegations and charges against some PDP members that served in government, even as these allegations and charges are yet to be proven, we call on the President to also investigate some of his serving ministers and associates that even more grievous allegations have been levied against.
“As a result, the body wishes to affirm as follows:
- That the PDP as a party dissociates itself from any of its members so indicted;
“ Any member so convicted shall also face intra-party disciplinary action and will be severely sanctioned accordingly;
- That the party stands steadfastly by the ideals of the G-34 founding Fathers of the party;
- That the “Principle of the Rule of Law “which was a cardinal focal point of the party while in government remains sacrosanct and immutable.”
Also in an apparent reference to the national convention of the party slated for next March, the body of National Vice-Chairmen admonished the faithful to remain steadfast and ensure that those willing to serve the PDP diligently are elected as national officers.
“That the body enjoins all PDP members to remain resolute and await the pending repositioning of the party where square pegs will be placed in square holes and justice and equity will prevail.
“Furthermore, we reaffirm that mediocres will no longer be allowed to govern the affairs of the party. Power will now be returned to the people at the grassroots.
“We make bold to say that those who are corrupt have left the party and those who left are indisputably mercenaries and Soldiers of Fortune”.
- That in spite of having lost the presidential elections, the PDP remains the largest party in Nigeria and Africa and we intend to keep it so;
- That the vast majority of PDP members at the grassroots are innocent and not corrupt and accordingly we frown at and reject the notion and tagging of the PDP as a corrupt party.
- That Nigerians will realize in the very near future that the PDP remains the only viable choice for the progress and unity of Nigeria,” the group said.
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