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| Source: The Punch |
Who
are the moneybags who at the weekend donated N21.7billion to President Goodluck
Jonathan’s campaign fund?
The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was under pressure yesterday to unveil the
identities of the donors.
The Nation reports there were sectoral and individual donors. Besides, governors, whose states are yet
to pay two months’ salaries, donated huge cash at the Presidential Villa.
Some
prominent citizens have however condemned the fundraising as “monetization” of
politics.
The
opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) challenged the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevail on the PDP to name the faceless donors.
The
chairman of the occasion, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, donated N2 billion. He said N1bn was
from him and his partner, and another N1bn from their friends. He did not name
them.
Players
in the Oil and Gas sector announced a donation of N5bn; those in Real Estate
and Building donated N4bn; Transport and Aviation, N1bn; Food and Agriculture,
N500m; Power, N500m; Construction, N310m; Road Construction, N250m; National
Automative Association, N450m; and Shelter Development Limited, N250m.
The
Chairman of the fundraiser committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, said his friends and
associates in the power sector were donating N5bn.
The
PDP Governors Forum shelled out N1.05billion.
Bauchi
State Governor Isa Yuguda, who spoke on behalf of the PDP governors, said each
21 of them would donate N50m.
The
SIFAX Group announced N100m. PDP stakeholders in Rivers State supported
Jonathan’s bid with N50m.
The
15 states on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission donated
N15million.
To
Second Republic Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa, the fund-raising reflected
the monetization of politics by PDP leaders. It smacked of irresponsibility, he
said.
He
added: “It is money stolen from the government. The money could not have been
donated by someone who earned it legitimately. They are monies stolen from the
public fund. Can they say the money is from their pocket? My advice is that
those who stole public funds should not go away with it.”
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| PDP FUND: From left Senate President Senator David Mark, Vice President Arc. Namadi Sambo President Goodluck Jonathan, National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party PDP Alh. Adamu Muazu, Chairman PDP Board of Trustee Chief Tony Anenih , Deputy Speaker Chief Emeka Ihedioaha and the Party Deputy National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus at for the Party Fund Raising Dinner at the State House Abuja Saturday 20th 12 2014 State House Photos |
Legal
luminary Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) lamented that political leaders had elevated
next year’s elections over and above the collective survival of the country.
In
his view, it is disheartening that the ruling party could raise N21billion when
many state governments cannot pay workers.
Akintola
stressed: “My own concern is the way we elevate politics over and above the
economy and security. Nigerians are suffering in millions. People are not
living well. The standard of living has fallen. Twenty-four states cannot pay
salaries. They are begging workers to be patient. Yet, some people contributed
N21 b. This amount can pay the salaries of workers in many states.
“They
should have human face. We are preparing for elections. We are not concerned
about the existence of Nigerians.”
Second
Republic Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande condemned what he called the PDP’s
penchant for monetization of electioneering, saying that it is a bad omen for
democracy.
Jakande
added: “It is a dangerous sign for the future to monetize our politics to that
extent. It is very bad. My advice is that other political parties should not
emulate the PDP. They should do better. The masses are the most important
people during elections. My appeal to the APC and other political parties is to
mobilize the masses in a rational way without financial inducement.”
Former
Lagos State Deputy Governor Rafiu Jafojo said it was wrong for the PDP to
intimidate other parties with its capacity to raise huge money for elections,
instead of resolving the crisis confronting the country.
He
said: “The power of money will crumble in 2015. If they have the capacity to
raise money, why don’t they have the capacity to also turn the economy around
and end the Boko Haram insurgency? What do they need the money for? Where is
the money coming from? Who are the donors? Nigerians need the full list of
donors.”
Afenifere
Deputy Leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi, frowned at the fund-raising, saying that the
N21b is scandalous. He queried: “N21 billion for what? Do you want to purchase
the votes of the people? The naira is in shambles. Boko Haram is on the
rampage. What is the money for?”
Fasanmi
chided the PDP for wasting public funds on trivialities, adding that no amount
of financial power can stop power shift in 2015.
The
elder statesman added: “It is scandalous in a nation that cannot pay
monthly salaries to workers. They have monetized the process. It is not good
for democracy. It is undesirable. People are taking note. N21 billion for one
person in a country where people can’t have three square meals? They are
over-stretching people’s patience.
“In
2015, their money cannot prevent progressives from taking power. Buhari and
Osinbajo will rule this country. The next election is about the struggle for
redemption, not about raining billions. No amount of billions can save the PDP
from electoral catastrophe. People are ready. It will be one man, one vote.”
Comrade
Osita Obi, Anambra State Coordinator of Igbo Patriots and Chairman, Environment
Watch said: “The money donated by the PDP members and contractors is a waste of
resources. This is unacceptable to Nigerians. This is the reason why people
will vote out Goodluck Jonathan and vote in Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to correct
the anomalies in the system.
According
to him, the donors are contractors donating money meant for Nigerian roads.
They are diverting people’s resources to mere campaign for Jonathan’s return in
2015. He said: “Jonathan must vacate the seat and people are going to vote him out
to make way for somebody, who has the interest of the people at heart.”
Comrade Obi Ochije, Anambra State Co-ordinator of Transform Nigeria
Movement said: “The donation is a bad thing for democracy in the country. If
people in power and their contractor friends could donate such amount for a
sitting president, what example are they showing to the so-called leaders of
tomorrow? These are people who are looking for contracts to execute and are
wasting resources meant for you and I, and they want us to be clapping for
them. We cannot clap for them. They say a good turn deserves another but
Jonathan do not deserve the votes of the masses.
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