With gubernatorial elections in Edo State just around the
corner, reports suggest that the State PDP has set aside the sum of N13.1
million to 'host' the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) during its audit of PDP accounts for 2011. This obviously raises red
flags and potential conflict of interest issues. Apparently, the National
Auditor of the party, Bode Mustapha, had written an internal
memo to the chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, asking him to
approve the sum of N13.1 million for the hosting of the INEC auditors.
In a swift response issued by its Chief Press Secretary
Kayode Idowu, INEC has stated that it is dissociating itself
from such a gesture and that INEC will not allow itself to be used as a clearing
house for party funds. According to the statement: “If anybody for whatever
reason is looking for a head to tie an expenditure proposal that is within the
PDP which has nothing to do with INEC, such person should look for other means.
INEC will not allow its name to be dragged into the mud by any individual or
organisation, as INEC will remain an unbiased umpire”.
It has also been revealed that Habu Fari, the
recently dismissed Chief of Staff to the PDP National Chairman, had raised an
objection to the N13.1 million expenditure, asking that the National Auditor
provide a breakdown of expenses for what he deemed an outrageous sum. It had
previously been reported that Fari had been dismissed because of a disagreement
in the national secretariat of the party regarding Fari's overbearing attitude,
which apparently incurred the ire of the PDP National Secretary
Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other members of the National Executive
Council.
For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates
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