EFCC probe of PDP’s finances sparks controversy

 

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) on Saturday expressed concern over the move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the party’s finances.

This was disclosed in a statement by its Director-General, Mr CID Maduabum, in Abuja.

The forum stated that the PDP was up to date in submission of its yearly financial account to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); as required by the Constitution. Further, Maduabum said that the PDP governors were not aware that INEC made any complaints to EFCC on PDP’s returns.

He said the recent invitation of PDP officials by the EFCC raised some concerns on the impartiality of the anti-graft agency. Maduabum said the PDP, as a political party, was accountable to its members and the general public for its actions.

‘‘The PDP governors were concerned that it was a misplaced priority and move to silence political opposition,” the DG said.

Consequently, he advised the EFCC’s new leadership to learn from the mistakes of its predecessors.

“Even the petition in question did not make a single allegation of misuse of government funds; nor cheating of any individual or public authority by the PDP. It is, therefore, surprising that EFCC should use its scarce human and other resources to begin an investigation into PDP finances.

“If EFCC is even-handed and non-partisan, it should also conduct an investigation into other political parties including the ruling party.”

The development may have originated after a member of the PDP; Mr Kazeem Afegbua, petitioned the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); for a probe of the party’s accounts. Afegbua, in the petition submitted to the EFCC and ICPC in April, asked that the PDP leadership account for the sum of N10 billion allegedly realised from the sale of forms in 2019 general elections.

This led the anti-graft agency to invite PDP officials for investigation.

However, the party denied the allegation that it generated the sum of N10 billion from sale of nomination; as well as expression of interest forms in 2019.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, at a news conference  in Abuja, said that the PDP generated N4.6bn; adding that it raised a budget for its expenditure, in line with all known financial regulations.