Security agencies have uncovered
how the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has allocated about $3million
(N1.8billion) to each state branch of the party, allegedly for inducement of
voters.
The cash was remitted before last
Saturday’s postponement elections, but most state chapters were finding it difficult to change the cash to
naira because of the surveillance on Bureau De Change operators by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services
(DSS).
Also, the agencies have
intercepted alleged compromise of some officers
of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), policemen and other
security agents in some states.
The intelligence report,
including the alleged implication of a former top official of INEC, may be
presented to the chairman of the electoral commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, by
the security agencies.
Besides, a member of the National
Peace Committee headed by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has
been fingered in “political romance” with the opposition, contrary to the
mandate of the group.
The popular thinking is that the
PDP has hidden under the guise of “logistics” to allocate about $3million
(N1.8billion) per state, which security agencies discovered that it was for
inducement of voters.
Based on the 36 states, about
$111million (N66.6billion) has been deployed by the leading opposition party to
influence voters.
The intelligence report indicated
that the money was different from the cash allocated to “compromise some
officers of INEC, policemen and security agents in some states” which had been
marked by security agencies.
An intelligence source said: “
Reports so far have showed that the main opposition party has allocated
$3m(N1.8billion) to each of its state chapters under the guise of logistics for
the general elections.
“But intelligence confirmed that
the cash is for vote buying with about N400,000 devoted to some polling units
out of the nation’s 120,000.
“Some of the huge cash cannot be
converted to Naira because of the surveillance on Bureau De Change operators by
the EFCC and DSS.
“And most banks have become
circumspect in view of a similar experience in 2015 in which about N23.9 poll
bribery cash was shared through their branches.”
The source, who pleaded not to be
named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, gave insights into the
alleged compromise of some INEC officers through a former top shots of the
electoral commission who had been engaged as consultants.
The source added: “Detectives
also discovered a ‘grand compromise’ of some INEC officers, policemen and others
in some states. A former INEC top officer and ex-Resident Electoral
Commissioner are implicated in the plans to compromise the nation’s electoral
integrity.
“These former top INEC officers
were found to have played a key role in the recruitment of the ad hoc staff in
some strategic states by using internal links/ surrogates in INEC to perfect
their plot. Many officers in INEC, who were recruited by these former officers,
are still loyal to them.
“These ex-officers had
infiltrated the system and could cause any sabotage of the poll at any point,
if it does not favour those who hired them. This is why it is easier for the
opposition to have every detail about the movement and actions of INEC chairman
and his National Commissioners.
“The intelligence report will be
made available to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, especially as it
relates to its field officers in some states.
“As for policemen and other
security agents, the appropriate authorities are handling specific cases. And
these issues will be attended to before the beginning of the poll on Saturday.”
Asked if the intelligence report
has been made available to the National Peace Committee, the source said: “It
is still an intelligence document as I speak with you now.
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“The challenge we are having also
is that a member of the committee has been fingered in a political romance with
the opposition because of vested interests in some deals.
“Notwithstanding, the government
will decide on how and when to brief relevant stakeholders.”
Reacting, INEC said it was
unaware of the existence of a recording of the PDP corrupting its men.
In the leaked telephone
conversation, a top government official in Rivers State was heard mapping out
plans on how to win the last Saturday’s election, which was rescheduled.
INEC officials were said to have
been settled to pave the way for the ruling party in the state.
Besides, names of the officials
were mentioned in the conversation, which include officials from neighbouring
states.
The government official could
also be heard issuing out warning to kill any INEC officials who fails to
cooperate after collecting money from the government.
However, INEC National
Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus
Okoye, said the commission was yet to see the purported recording.
Okoye, who was responding to
inquiry by The Nation, said: “I have not seen the recording you are alluding
to.”
Also reacting, the PDP said the
opposition party lacked the financial wherewithal to deploy such cash.
Its spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan:
“We don’t have such funds anywhere, but we enjoy massive support and goodwill
of a greater number of Nigerians. As an opposition party, where can we get that
money.
“It was the same APC that mocked
us a few weeks ago, saying that we were broke and that we could not fund our
campaign. Now they have turned around to accuse us of spending such funds.
“Is it not strange that a ruling
party is now portraying itself as the victim simply because they have been
rejected by the people?
“Rather, it is the APC that has
spent humongous amount on their campaign across the country and they are still
spending. We have the figures and at the appropriate time we shall release
them. For now, we are focused on the coming elections. So, we are very busy
right now.”
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