BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Presidency has dismissed as ‘unverifiable’ claims by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) that President Muhammadu Buhari spent the one billion dollars drawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) on his 2019 general re-election campaigns.
It therefore diagnosed the country’s main opposition as a patient suffering from ‘socio emotional distress’ that currently looks incurable.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in Abuja on Sunday; “this unverifiable allegation” clearly indicated that the PDP is suffering from socio emotional distress.
According to Shehu, it is regrettable the PDP; “thinks that all governments in the world run on the basis of freewheeling looting as they did their own.”
The Presidential aide, in laughing off the election slending allegations, explained thus: “Here is what happened to that 1,000 million dollars.
”It’s on record that the Buhari administration paid about 490 million dollars for a dozen Super Tucano fighter aircraft in a direct, government-to-government (no Contractors or Commission Agents) transaction with government of the United States.
”Various other military procurements have been made. Balance of expenditure stands at about 880 million dollars or so.”
Taunting the country’s main opposition party on its obvious poor handling of public resources funds during the 16 years rule, the statement said; ”The PDP spent Defence procurement funds on their failed 2015 political campaigns as proven in court.
“That is not to say every succeeding government, more so one led by a Buhari will do the same.”
Mallam Shehu further stated that barring considerations of national security, the details of the stage of implementation; the procurements made; and the suppliers will be obtained and made available to Nigerians. on Monday
The Presidency’s reaction came on the heels of demands by PDP for explanations on how President Buhari has so far managed the one billion dollars ($1bn) drawn from the ECA in 2017 to address the nation’s mounting security challenges.
Approved in December 2017 by the National Economic Council (NEC), the Federal government said the funds were meant for weapons’ purchase to fight insurgency and related criminal activities across the country.
