By Myke Uzendu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it will neither be intimidated nor deterred from performing its duties as the leading opposition political party despite the invitation of some of its officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft body had invited the National Auditor, National Organizing Secretary and Director of Finance of the party following a petition from it’s enstranged member, Prince Kassim Afegbua alleging that the party’s leadership mismanaged the sum of N10 billion it realized from sales of forms since 2017.
But PDP in a statement on Wednesday by it’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan maintained that it did not raise the sum of N10 billion being frivolously bandied in some quarters as proceeds from the sale of nomination forms.
The PDP restated that every expenditure by the National Working Committee (NWC) had always been in line with the budget approved by the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and in keeping with political parties financial due process.
“We further affirm that we have over the years submitted our audited accounts in line with statutory requirements and practice.
“However, as a responsible and public-spirited political party, we have honoured the invitation extended to our officials by the commission and we urge all party members, our teeming supporters across the nation and members of the public to remain calm.
“PDP assures that it will not succumb to any form of blackmail and political intimidation but will continue in its role of providing constructive opposition as well as being the national platform for all Nigerians in their rally to rescue and secure our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
The National Auditor, Adamu Mustapha was the first to visit the anti-graft agency for interview. EFCC had earlier told the party officials to come along with every information relating to the sale of nomination forms from 2017.
It could not be accertained if Mustapha has been released by the invistigating officials as at the time of filling this report.
