The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urges the
National Assembly to invoke its statutory powers
and directly channel the N10.069 billion Presidential
funds for payment of salaries and pensions of
suffering Kogi state workers.
The PDP says it is scandalous that the Buhari
Presidency, with its claims of transparency and
integrity, 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 describes as endorsement of corruption
and inexcusable injury to the people of Kogi state,
for President Muhammadu Buhari to seek to direct
funds to Governor Yahaya Bello, for phantom
projects, and neglect the Kogi workers many of
whom are owed salaries and pension in arrears of
36 months.
Such action by Mr. President further confirms that
the All Progressives Congress (APC) is directly in
league with Governor Yahaya Bello to strangulate the
people of Kogi state.
The PDP holds that if there are no intensions of
pushing the fund to Governor Bello for anti-people
purposes, the Presidency is challenged to name
and point to the particular project executed by
Governor Bello as well as make the terms and
payment agreements 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.
Furthermore, the party charges the legislature to be
on the side of the people by applying its legislative
instruments to commence an immediate
investigation into the alleged squandering of over
N700 billion Kogi state funds by the Bello
administration in the last four years.
The PDP also calls on the people of Kogi state as
well as financial watch organizations to be at alert,
monitor all disbursement of funds to Kogi state and
ensure that Governor Bello and the APC do not
achieve their aim of diverting the N10.069 billion
for their selfish purposes.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Young-po Reporters 