The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday disowned all its members recently arrested and arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over their alleged involvement in the diversion and theft of about $2.1 billion funds for arms purchase.
In a communique issued by the party’s body of national vice chairmen at the end of a meeting in Abuja, the party also reiterated its support for the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s campaign against corruption.
It, however, urged him to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on some members of his cabinet, who have been alleged to be involved in corrupt practices prior to their appointment as Ministers.
“The body notes with great concern the various allegations and charges against some PDP members that served in Government, even as these allegations and charges are yet to be proven, we call on the President to also investigate some of his serving Ministers and associates that even more grievous allegations have been levied against“.
Some PDP members, and people who held office when the party was in power, are facing corruption charges for allegedly diverting money meant for purchase of arms for the fight against Boko Haram.
Prominent among those arraigned by the EFCC are former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and a former director of finance at the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu.
Also accused is a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, and his son, Sagir Bafarawa.
A federal high court in Abuja has fixed January 5, 2016 for the trial of a former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Mohammed Bello and his son, Abba, who were also indicted by the EFCC in the arms deal fraud.
The PDP said the eradication of corruption was paramount for Nigeria’s development, just as it expressed concern over the various cases of financial misappropriation currently under investigation and called on the Buhari administration to leave no stone unturned in eradicating the menace in Nigeria.
The body of vice chairmen, therefore made a list of recommendations, including the following:
“That the PDP as a party dissociates itself from any of its members so indicted”, said the statement signed by the body’s secretary and national vice chairman of the PDP (South South), Cairo Ojougboh.
“That any member so convicted shall also face intra party disciplinary action and will be severely sanctioned accordingly.
“That the principle of the Rule of Law which was a cardinal focal point of the party while in government remains sacrosanct and immutable”, said the party.
The PDP claimed its corrupt members have since left the party and frowned at what it described as the tagging of the party as corrupt.
“We make bold to say that those who are corrupt have left the party and those who left are indisputably mercenaries and soldiers of fortune”.
“That the vast majority of PDP members at the grassroots are innocent and not corrupt and accordingly we frown at and reject the notion and tagging of the PDP as a corrupt Party”, it said.
Despite its present political misfortunes, the PDP insisted that it remains an important element for Nigeria’s progress and unity.
“Nigerians will realize in the very near future that the PDP remains the only viable choice for the Progress and Unity of Nigeria”, the party said.
The communique said the PDP holds in high esteem the ideals of the G-34 founding Fathers of the Party, and called on its members to stay focused, saying that efforts are on the way to ensure a proper repositioning of the party.
The PDP also said the days of mediocrity in the party was over, and that power would return to the grass roots.
