2019 Elections: PDP cannot avoid corruption, integrity test for candidates
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
“The PDP cannot be simplistic and attempt to wish away the issue of the integrity of candidates seeking elections into positions at all levels, particularly as 2019 approaches. We reiterate our position that the Nigerian electorate must have that opportunity to choose from candidates that can pass the integrity and anti-corruption test. The character of office holders we elect into public offices is important as our very progress and development as a country depends on it.”
The Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that there is no amount of effort by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to whip sentiments against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government’s anti-corruption war that would be of any help for it in the coming 2019 general elections.
The APC stated this in a statement by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in reaction to the PDP’s assertion accusing senior officials of the Buhari’s administration of “deliberate efforts impugn on the character” of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
A Spokesman of the main opposition party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, had released a statement accusing the APC-led government officials of making effort to set Atiku up on grounds of corruption.
But the APC, assuring the PDP that no such effort to rubbish its government effort to cleanse the country of corruption and impunity, nailed Ologbondiyan now making the assertion on behalf of the PDP as “infact” editor of the national newspaper that exposed the corruption in Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) that indicted the man who has now become the Presidential Candidate of the his party.
Speaking more clearly, the APC said, “The PDP’s assertion particularly coming from its spokesperson is ironic and laughable, given the fact that Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan as an editor with one of the national newspapers infact unearthed the Special Audit/Forensic Investigation of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) which indicted Alh. Atiku Abubakar, then Vice President for the mismanagement of the Fund.
“The PDP spokesperson in his published report disclosed that from 1999 to 2006, Atiku’s approval for the release of $20m from the treasury and subsequent placement in Trans International Bank without appropriation and approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was illegal and amounted to abuse of office.
“There are no lies here. Alh. Atiku Abubakar grapples with several other corruption indictments. This is a fact and reality he needs to deal with and come clean about.
“The PDP cannot be simplistic and attempt to wish away the issue of the integrity of candidates seeking elections into positions at all levels, particularly as 2019 approaches. We reiterate our position that the Nigerian electorate must have that opportunity to choose from candidates that can pass the integrity and anti-corruption test. The character of office holders we elect into public offices is important as our very progress and development as a country depends on it.
“When the choice is to be made, the electorate have the option of a proven and decent presidential candidate who is putting the people first and on the other hand a racketeer who will readily mortgage the country commonwealth to personal coffers and cronies.”
