DasukiGate: Falae Lied; We Didn’t Receive Share Of N100m Anenih Donation – Ogun SDP

Olu-FalaeThe Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Ogun State has distanced itself from the N100 million donation for 2015 general elections received on behalf of the party by its national leader, Chief Olu Falae.

The Ogun SDP said contrary to Mr. Falae’s claims of distributing the money to state chapters of the party, it did not get a dime from the former Secretary to Government of the Federation.

Mr. Falae, who is the National Chairman of SDP, at the weekend affirmed receiving N100 million from the ex-chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, which is investigating how the $2.1 billion arms deal fund was allegedly diverted by Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser, NSA, believes the N100 million is part of the funds.

Mr. Falae, a former Finance Minister had explained that the money was meant for him and his party to mobilize support for the re-election of then President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

“It is true I received the money for the party and then it was distributed to the state branches of the party for onward distribution to other levels of the party”, he said.

However, the Ogun SDP in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Olu Agemo and Clement Adeniyi respectively, said it was not a party to the deal with the PDP or the distribution of the funds.

The Ogun SDP said it was never notified of nor involved in any negotiation to partner with the PDP or any other party for the purpose of winning the March elections or maintaining peace during the period as claimed by its national leader.

The statement noted that the chapter was never informed by the national secretariat of the decision to adopt former President Jonathan or any other candidate as the party’s presidential candidate.

It further stated that it was never informed of any donation of funds to the party by the PDP or any other party and that it did not receive any financial or campaign assistance from the national secretariat of the party or any of its principal officers.

The Ogun SDP emphasized that it declared its sources of campaign finance in the Guardian, Vanguard, Punch and Tribune Newspapers of April 20, before the current revelation.

“We plead with our members and supporters who have received these untoward revelation with great shock to remain calm and await the convocation of a general meeting where these issues shall be thoroughly discussed and appropriate decisions taken”, the statement said.

“We assure you that the SDP in Ogun will continue to operate within ethical and moral norms as laid out in the principles of progressive welfarism established by our progenitor, Obafemi Awolowo, in the struggle to establish an egalitarian, peaceful and equitable nation”.