PDP demands probe of Buhari over diversion of military funds

Less than fifty days to Nigeria’s general elections, main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and his family of allegedly diverting N1.032 trillion meant for the purchase of weapons for soldiers.

In a statement on Wednesday by the party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party alleged that the Buhari’s family used the money to acquire shares in 9mobile and Keystone, and urged the International Criminal Police Organisation better known as Interpol to probe the President.

The PDP spokesman also alleged that the military fund is being used to finance the president’s re-election campaign and to produce campaign materials.

Recall that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of PDP, had earlier asked the federal government to probe the allegations that the president’s family owns substantial share in the telecommunication outfit and a bank.

In his statement on Wednesday, Ologbondiyan said the president’s silence on the allegations show that he hands were soiled.

“This concerted investigation has become imperative following President Buhari’s failure to directly speak out on the allegations against his family members, as well as explain how they came about the sum of N1.032 trillion for the alleged acquisition,” the statement read.

He said the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization, PPCO, is deeply worried by the disturbing videos of gallant soldiers languishing and being killed by insurgents due to neglect and failure of the Buhari administration to adequately equip them in the fronts.

“More so, the Buhari Presidency has blatantly refused to respond to allegations that military fund is being used to finance President Buhari’s re-election campaign which even manifested in the use of military resources to produce APC’s campaign materials, including an electronic momento book by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali.

Olognondiyan in the statement also said the attention of the party has been drawn to a vicious attempt by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to use diversionary tactics to dismiss allegations of corruption hanging directly on President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The APC is attempting to dismiss revelations that family members of President Buhari’s involvement in acquiring substantial shares in both the 9 Mobile and Keystone Bank Plc that is worth over a N1 trillion.

“We want Nigerians to note that the PDP had already challenged President Buhari to personally speak out on these allegations. We note that President Buhari had the occasion of the launch of his campaign in Akwa Ibom last week and his New Year address to deny these grave allegations but he decided to shy away from it.”

He said the PDP stands by its actions that President Muhammadu Buhari has soiled his hands on corruption enrichments and has resorted to sending his aides to put up frivolous defenses.