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Tag: PDP chiefs

  • Dasuki lists ex-governors, PDP chiefs in $2b deals

    Dasuki lists ex-governors, PDP chiefs in $2b deals

    FORMER National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has made some “mind-boggling” revelations on the $2billion “phoney” arms contracts, a source said yesterday.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a Federal Government committee are probing how huge sums of money meant for procurement of arms went down the drain during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    An interim report indicates that about $2billion may have been disbursed for inexplicable reasons.

    Dasuki was arrested on Tuesday by the Department of State Services (DSS). He was transferred to the EFCC.

    An EFCC source said: “When Dasuki was brought in, he initially refused to write any statement, alleging that he had been subjected to media trial.

    “I think the ex-NSA decided not to open up based on the advice of his lawyers that he should leave everything for the open court.

    “The EFCC operatives, however, obliged Dasuki a copy of the statement by a former Director of Finance in the  Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Shaibu Salisu in which the latter made some implicating statements.

    “Dasuki, who was shocked by Salisu’s confessions, repeatedly asked: ‘You mean Salisu wrote all these! You mean he said these! Give me a pen and paper’.

    “Thereafter, Dasuki decided to open a can of worms. He gave a long list of PDP chieftains who collected money from the Office of the NSA.

    “He mentioned the names of a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, ex-governors and ex-ministers and many others.

    “As I am talking to you, Dasuki is still writing his statement. The disclosures  of the ex-Director of Finance in ONSA  have assisted greatly in getting to the bottom of the armsgate.

    “So, the investigation is still on. We will certainly arrest more suspects soon.”

    There were indications that the anti-graft commission may extend its probe to the seizure of  $9million cash by South Africa and quiz all those involved in the botched deal.

    An Israeli suspect implicated in the deal is said to have bolted after throwing a lavish party at his Wuse residence.

    Former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, AIT Chairman Raymond Dokpesi and former Minister Bashir Yuguda were yesterday battling for bail.

    It was learnt that the EFCC was planning to arraign some of the suspects in court to enable the agency keep the more than 22 suspects being interrogated in custody.

    The EFCC is said to be mindful of a situation in which the high-profile suspects will rush to court to seek the enforcement of their fundamental rights and truncate the investigation.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named, said many suspects had admitted collecting huge sums of money from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) when Dasuki was in charge.

    Said the source: “Our investigators have isolated these areas of probe: Were the funds budgeted for? If not, what informed extra-budgetary expenses? How much was actually voted for arms procurement? How were the funds sourced? Who or which agency awarded all the contracts? Who were the contractors? Was there any evidence of delivery of equipment? What will make any Minister to run to ONSA for funds?

    “These are the areas our detectives have been mandated to look at.”

    On other suspects, the source explained that some of the diverted funds had been traced to a bureau de change owned by a former member of the staff of the ONSA.

    “Some Bureau de Change operators were accomplices of many of these suspects in custody. We are tracking every transaction.

    “On daily basis, we will keep on inviting more suspects because the syndicate has a complex networking,” the source added.

    As at press time last night, Bafarawa, Dokpesi and Yuguda were still battling for bail.

    A source said: “We have not released any of them because they are clearing some grey areas.”

    Another source in EFCC said the agency would extend its probe to the seizure of the $9.34m cash smuggled into South Africa.

    The cash was confiscated by the South Africa from an Israeli arms dealer of Cyprus-based ESD International, who acted on behalf of the Federal Government to procure arms for Nigeria.

    Part of the cash was for six “civilian” helicopters from a South African company, Tier One.

    The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa recently received a court permission to return the cash to Nigeria.

  • Why Dickson allowed Buhari’s campaign, by PDP chiefs

    Some stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State are criticising Governor Seriake Dickson for allowing All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to hold his rally at the only stadium in the state.

    Buhari, last Thursday, held his rally at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the state capital. The event witnessed a large turnout of supporters for the APC candidate.

    But it was learnt that some PDP stalwarts were unhappy that the governor allowed Gen. Buhari access to the stadium.

    Before the rally, the PDP chieftains allegedly mounted pressure on some government officials to make Dickson turn down APC’s request to use the stadium.

    Dickson was said to have refused to do their bidding, insisting on political tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

    A top-ranking official of the state government confirmed the development.

    He said the governor would not stop any other political party from using the state’s facility for campaign.

    The official, a commissioner, said Dickson exhibited politics of maturity, being an advocate of political and religious tolerance.

    He stressed that the ripples in some quarters that Dickson allowed Gen. Buhari to campaign at the stadium were misplaced.

    The official said the state facilities belonged to Bayelsa people, irrespective of their political leanings.

  • 2015: PDP chiefs gang up against Jonathan in Anambra

    2015: PDP chiefs gang up against Jonathan in Anambra

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition may have suffered a setback, following the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.

    Members of the party have accused  the President of  being a stumbling block to peace in the state’s chapter.

    They vowed to vote against him next year for abandoning the party’s governorship candidate in 2013, Comrade Tony Nwoye and supporting former Governor Peter Obi’s candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The PDP in Anambra has been swimming in crisis over the ward congresses held last weekend under the leadership of the new Chairman, Ejike Oguebego.

    The exercise, conducted in 326 wards in the 21 local governments, was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The other factions led by oil mogul Prince Arthur Eze and the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh, drafted Senator Ibrahim Mantu to the state for a fresh congress.

    The exercise failed to hold in two hotels in Awka on Saturday and Sunday, which forced Mantu and his appeal panel to relocate to Asaba, the Delta State capital, where they handed over delegates’ forms to Princess Stella Oduah, Senator Andy Uba and Uche Ekwunife.

    Oduah is vying for the Anambra North senatorial ticket, while Ekwunife and Uba are interested in Anambra Central and South senatorial tickets.

    Following the crisis, PDP bigwigs have told Jonathan to forget votes in Anambra State.

    A chieftain of the party, who spoke with The Nation in confidence, said: “The President thinks he has Anambra, with former Governor Obi on his side and the APGA government here. But we will tell him that it is not yet Uhuru.

  • Jonathan, PDP chiefs storm Onitsha for Nwoye

    Jonathan, PDP chiefs storm Onitsha for Nwoye

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday stormed Onitsha in Anambra State, saying Saturday’s poll must be free and fair.

    The President, who came to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) standard-bearer, Comrade Tony Nwoye, said Anambra people should honour Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, whose 109th birthday coincided with the election day.

    Nwoye’s campaign was attended byAkwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, PDP’s National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, among others.

    It was held at the Basilica of Most Holy Trinity field, Onitsha.

    President Jonathan urged the electorate to vote for Comrade Nwoye, whom he described as young and vibrant, with a zeal to serve the people.

    He promised a level-playing field for all parties.

    “This poll is special in the sense that it is holding on November 16, the day one of the greatest leaders of our country, the late Dr. Azikiwe, was born.

    “It will be a very good birthday gift for the great Zik and will bring Anambra State forward if you vote for Comrade Nwoye and PDP.

    “Anambra people must work hard to ensure that the next governor is elected on the platform of the PDP.”

    “Don’t be distracted by the rumours that some people are recruiting youths from neighbouring states. We must ensure security during and after the election and ensure one-man one-vote.”

    Alhaji Tukur, who described Nwoye as a versatile young man, whose zeal to serve was unparalleled, told the people to vote for PDP for uncommon transformation.

    Tukur said: “Don’t continue to remain outside the fold. Return to your main umbrella and get your development. That was why we insisted on a free and credible primary election.”

    Governor Akpabio said the mega rally was to take over Anambra.

    Nwoye promised to revolutionise the state, if elected, assuring the people of security of life and property. He promised youth empowerment, adding that he would prioritise agriculture.

    The lawmaker representing Anambra North, Senator Maggery Okadigbo, described Nwoye as vibrant and a grassroots mobiliser, who would deliver on his campaign promises.

    One of the members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Prince Arthur Eze enjoined the indigenes to vote for Nwoye for total transformation.

  • Gunmen kill PDP chiefs in Borno

    There may be no end yet to the orgy of violence and incessant killings in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as gunmen in separate attacks on Tuesday shot dead two chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Southern Borno Senatorial District and Shehuri ward at about 8pm.

    The PDP chieftains are Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Gula, PDP zonal vice chairman of Southern Borno Senatorial District; and Hajiya Gambo, the PDP women leader for Shehuri ward in Maiduguri metropolis.

    A top official of PDP, who does not want his name in print, disclosed that Alhaji Gula and Hajiya Gambo were trailed to their respective residences by the gunmen, before they were shot dead before their spouses.

    He said: “they were killed in cold blood near the Maiduguri International Hotel (MAIH) and Shehuri ward of the metropolis, before the Joint Task Force (JTF) and police cordoned the areas for over an hour to prevent further attacks and killings. The bodies of the slain party officials have already been buried on Tuesday, according to Islamic rites at the Gwange cemetery.”

    Speaking on the motives behind the assassination, he said: “prior to their killings by unknown gunmen, Gula and Gambo actively participated at the Town Hall meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan last Friday at the Government House Multipurpose Hall over the Boko Haram insurgency and withdrawals of JTF from Borno State.

    “These killings are a clear case of cold blood murder and are condemnable. Security agents must unravel the circumstance that led to the gunning down of these PDP officials at their residences in Umarari and Shehuri wards.”

    The Borno police commissioner, Alhaji Yuguda Abdullahi Tuesday confirmed the separate incidents in a telephone chat.