Press Statement
…. Insists Gov Bello Should Face Probe Over Squandered N700bn
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urges the National Assembly to invoke
its statutory powers and directly channel the N10.069 billion
Presidential funds for payment of salaries and pensions of suffering
Kogi state workers.
The PDP says it is scandalous that the Buhari Presidency, with its
claims of transparency and integrity, would seek to mislead the National
Assembly by asserting that the fund is for projects done by the state
government on behalf of the Federal Government, when in reality no one
can point to any such project executed by Governor Yahaya Bello in the
last four years.
The PDP describes as endorsement of corruption and inexcusable injury to
the people of Kogi state, for President Muhammadu Buhari to seek to
direct funds to Governor Yahaya Bello, for phantom projects, and neglect
the Kogi workers many of whom are owed salaries and pension in arrears
of 36 months.
Such action by Mr. President further confirms that the All Progressives
Congress (APC) is directly in league with Governor Yahaya Bello to
strangulate the people of Kogi state.
The PDP holds that if there are no intensions of pushing the fund to
Governor Bello for anti-people purposes, the Presidency is challenged to
name and point to the particular project executed by Governor Bello as
well as make the terms and payment agreements public for Nigerians to
see.
If the Buhari Presidency means well for Kogi state, it should reword its
request and put the interest of the masses ahead of all selfish and
parochial political considerations, particularly as the state approaches
a critical election in which the people have made up their minds to vote
out Governor Yahaya Bello.
Mr. President cannot claim to be unaware of the critical situation of
workers in Kogi state. He cannot claim to be unaware that workers in
Kogi state are being owed, in some cases up to 36 months, and that
retirees and seniors are dying over non payments of their pensions after
giving the best of their lives in public service.
The PDP therefore urges President Buhari to resist attempts by his
handlers and Governor Bello to drag his Presidency into this shameful
attempt to steal fund that ought to go to the suffering masses in Kogi
state.
Furthermore, the party charges the legislature to be on the side of the
people by applying its legislative instruments to commence an immediate
investigation into the alleged squandering of over N700 billion Kogi
state funds by the Bello administration in the last four years.
The PDP also calls on the people of Kogi state as well as financial
watch organizations to be at alert, monitor all disbursement of funds to
Kogi state and ensure that Governor Bello and the APC do not achieve
their aim of diverting the N10.069 billion for their selfish purposes.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
