PDP Questions Buhari’s Approval Of N10bn For Kogi Ahead Of Governorship Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of N10.69 billion as refund on federal projects executed by the Kogi State government.

President Buhari had in a letter addressed to Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and read on the floor senate on Tuesday, requested the upper legislative chamber to approve payment of the said sum to the state government for projects done on behalf of the federal government.

But the PDP, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed reservations that the president’s request was coming ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Kogi.

The party said it was “scandalous” that the Presidency 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 urged the National Assembly to instead invoke its statutory powers and directly channel the N10.069 billion for payment of salaries and pensions of  workers in the state.

Speaking through its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP described the presidency’s request as an “endorsement of corruption and inexcusable injury to the people of Kogi state.”

The party also challenged the presidency to “name and point” to the particular project executed by Governor Bello if its intentions were not allegedly fund the governor’s re-election.

The PDP also challenged the presidency to make the terms and payment agreements of such projects 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,” the party stated.

The opposition party also tasked anti-corruption organizations and groups in the to ensure the said N10.069 billion is not diverted for other purposes.

Meanwhile, President Buhari had in his letter to the Senate said, “The request is hinged on the promissory note programme and bond issuance to settle inherited local debt and contractual obligations of the federal government.

“This is base on my request for the resolution of the national assembly approving the establishment of a promissory note programme and the bond issuance to settle inherited local debts and contractual obligation by the federal government.

“The 8th National Assembly passed resolutions approving issuance of promissory notes to refund state governments for projects executed on behalf of federal government.”