FG finally names looters of nation’s treasury, says PDP challenged it to do so
*As PDP’s National Chairman tops looters’ list with N200m Armsgate
*Grandstanding despite huge loots shows PDP’s apology to Nigerians empty – Minister
*Says: ‘We have proofs of PDP members’ loots, we don’t make up cases’
*PDP’s sin can’t be forgiven because repentance of hypocrite is hypocrisy – FG
By Kemi Kasumu, General Editor
“The PDP is a hypocrite. And that reminds me of what English writer William Hazlitt said: ”The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.” “We will not stop talking about the massive looting by the PDP. They brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. We are now looking around for loans to build infrastructure, and they ask us not to talk about it. We will talk about it.”
The nation’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may have finally nailed its own coffin as the Federal Government, on Friday, finally responded to its challenge to name looters under their watch.
At a press conference addressed in Lagos by the Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the government said although it was reluctant to name the looters under the watch of PDP during particularly their last six years in office, but that it had no option than to do so based on the challenge of the former ruling party now struggling hard as embattled opposition in the country.
Flanked on his sides by Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, and President, Accountable Leadership for Better Nigeria Initiative (ALBNI), Mr. Remi Adebayo, Minister Lai Mohammed appeared to be of help to the PDP in refreshing the memory of their over a decade grip on Nigeria’s security, political and socio-economic life of Nigeria during which he said the country was looted dry under their watch.
He said, “They said they did not loot the treasury. Well, I am sure they know that the treasury was looted dry under their watch.
“Yet they decided to grandstand. This shows the hollowness of their apology to Nigerians,” He responded to the PDP’s boastful challenge and came up with a teaser.
“Let’s just give them a teaser with this list:
1. PDP CHAIRMAN UCHE SECONDUS
– On the 19th of Feb 2015, he took N200 million only from the office of then NSA
2. Then PDP FInancial Secretary
– On the 24th of Oct 2014, he took N600 million only from the office of then NSA
3. Then National Publicity Secretary Olisah Metuh
– On trial for collecting N1.4b from the office of then NSA
4. Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of DAAR Communications
– On trial for taking N2.1 billion from the office of then NSA
5. Former SSA to President Jonathan, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei
– On trial over N830 million kept in accounts of four different companies
6 Former President Jonathan’s Cousin Robert Azibaola
– On Thursday, a Federal High Court ruled that he has a case to answer for collecting $40 million from the office of then NSA.
“This list is just a tip of the iceberg, and the PDP is aware of this. We did not make these cases up. Many of these cases are in court and the records are available.
“Some of the people on this list are seeking to plea bargain, and that is a fact.
“We insist that Nigeria was looted blind under the watch of the PDP, and that the starting point in tendering an apology is for them to return the loot.
“It’s like a robber admitting to stealing your car and apologizing, but then saying he will keep the car anyway. It doesn’t work that way.
“The PDP is a hypocrite. And that reminds me of what English writer William Hazlitt said: ”The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.”
“We will not stop talking about the massive looting by the PDP. They brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. We are now looking around for loans to build infrastructure, and they ask us not to talk about it. We will talk about it.”
