The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has put up argument to disqualify the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State, extending to the election in Kogi State, accusing the party of wastage of public funds.
APC in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, declared that “recent disclosures by the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, that the current administration continues to service a $460 million loan taken from China to fund a phony Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) contract is a stark reminder why Nigerians must continue to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all levels of government”.
It was noted that the CCTV contract was awarded in August 2010.
The ruling party further noted: “lest we forget the $16 billion spent on power with no electricity; fuel subsidy rackets; counter-insurgency funds that were diverted and shared to political cronies; a phony gas supply and processing agreement which has left the current administration contesting a $9.6 billion judgment debt, among other corrupt schemes and heists perpetuated by consecutive PDP administrations during its 16 years rule.
“The good news is that those dark days of willful waste, procurement/contract frauds and institutionalised corruption are behind us.
“This administration is progressively and aggressively instilling financial discipline, prudence, curbing leakages and ensuring probity in the way government conducts its business.
“The execution of the ongoing national infrastructure projects are a sharp departure from the past where contracts were awarded and cash-backed yet poorly executed or not executed at all.
“Today, Nigerians are getting full value for every kobo released for public works. Our public resources are now being rightly deployed to address our national infrastructure needs, social investments and other initiatives that directly benefit the people.
“Governorship elections are forthcoming in Bayelsa and Kogi states.
“We must not fall prey to the rapacious again. We should be wary of whatever promises PDP is making ahead of the ballots in both Bayelsa and Kogi – a leopard cannot change its spots. Profligacy and corruption are in the
“We must continuously strive to elect progressive governments at all levels, if we are to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) urges Nigerians to continue its support for the Buhari administration’s campaign to end profligacy and restore probity, efficiency, and transparency in our national life”.