Presidency involved in fresh N10bn NHIS scam – PDP

By Samuel Ogidan
The Presidency has been accused of involvement in a fresh N10 billion theft allegedly perpetrated by the officials of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The allegation was made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Monday.
The PDP, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency has no honour left after reports that it concealed a N10 billion theft perpetrated by its officials at NHIS.
Accusing the Presidency of complicity in the theft, while explaining how the money was looted, the PDP said that it was shocking that the NHIS money was siphoned through the Federal Government Treasury Single Account (TSA) in the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is under the direct purview of the Presidency.
Ologbondiyan said: “The only reason for the concealment was because the Presidency was complicit, while the stolen fund is being used to service an anti-people cabal brazenly operating in the Buhari-led Presidency.”
The PDP described as the height of official hypocrisy for a government that is superintending over illegal withdrawals and outright stealing of funds meant for the welfare of the people yet brashly parading itself as champion of anti-corruption.
“Nigerians can now see the level of debauchery associated with this administration. It is appalling that a government can be so depraved that it superintended over the stealing of money meant to provide healthcare for the citizens.
“We challenge the Presidency to speak out on the report as well as similar reported sleazes that has occurred under its watch. Who in the Presidency authorised the withdrawal of the money from the TSA and who are the beneficiaries thereof?
“What has the Presidency to say about revelations that it ordered the reinstatement of the indicted Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof. Yusuf Usman, to help conceal this illegal withdrawals and shield members of the presidency cabals involved in the deal? The party queried.