The Nigerian Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN), the group that bankrolled the N45million cost of the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for President Muhammadu Buhari,declared yesterday that it contravened no law by its action.
The group has come under criticism for taking it upon itself to purchase the form for the president.
Critics claim the group’s action violated a section of the electoral law that stipulates that no individual is allowed to donate more than a million to the campaign expenses of any candidate in an election.
But responding to such criticisms, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Sunusi Musa, argued that the section of the electoral law refers only to candidates and not aspirants.
A similar view was canvassed yesterday by spokesman for the Buhari Campaign Organization, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN)
Keyamo said on his Twitter handle that ”some mischievous persons are reading S. 91(9) of the Electoral Act upside down.”
He added: “The section limits CASH (not material) donations in respect of CANDIDATES to N1m. PMB is not a CANDIDATE. He’s an aspiring ASPIRANT. He becomes an ASPIRANT only when he submits his form to his party.
“Same people that said nothing last week when a group ‘donated’ a nomination FORM to a ‘crying’ opposition aspirant are now descending on PMB & misquoting the law. It’s more honourable to openly support a candidate of your choice than hiding behind one finger & looking ridiculous.
“The situation we have in Nig is that the REAL oppressors of the masses are struggling to pose as their saviours whilst they seek to paint the REAL saviours as the oppressors. They’re using fake news, propaganda, etc, to paint this picture. All they want is to sneak back to power.
“Some of us are prepared to be misunderstood, abused & maligned by a few for d position we have taken today about the future of our country because we see behind the scenes and WE KNOW THE TRUTH. It is better to be vindicated by posterity than to be applauded wrongly at the moment
“Let’s be clear that d present govt may not have gotten EVERY decision right or taken EVERY step right since 2015, but we urge Nigs. to put the sincerity & personal integrity of Mr. President on an overall scale against those of his opponents in 2019 and see where the scale tilts.”