Arms fund diverted to acquire Keystone Bank, 9 mobile (Etisalat) – PDP alleges

The Peoples Democratic (PDP) has alleged that the controversial acquisition of Keystone Bank and 9 Mobile was done with money diverted from funds meant for arms acquisition.It challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to personally explain the alleged link between members of his family and the deal.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan who presided over a press conference yesterday said: “We have called you up again to address very important national issues bothering on allegations of diversion of military funds as well as a fresh plot by the Muhammadu Buhari presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the 2019 general elections.”

The party called for an urgent investigation into the alleged link between the reportedly diverted funds and the N1.032 trillion allegedly used by Buhari’s family members for corrupt acquisition in the two firms.

The PDP also sought an independent investigation by INTERPOL, Directorate of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the matter. According to the party, “This concerted investigation has become imperative following President Buhari’s failure to directly speak out on the allegations against his family members as well as explain how they came about the sum of N1.032 trillion for the alleged acquisition.

“We make this demand in view of public insinuations that the money may have been sourced from funds meant for the purchase of weapons for our soldiers. “More so, the Buhari presidency has blatantly refused to respond to allegations that military fund is being used to finance President Buhari’s re-election campaign, which even manifested in the use of military resources to produce APC’s campaign materials, including an electronic book by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali.”

Meanwhile, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has accused PDP’s Presidential cabdidate, Atiku Abubakar of sabotaging the anti-terrorism war in the country.In a statement by Niyi Akinsiju, it alleged that the fake news, especially on social media, targeted at the Nigerian Military was the handiwork of Atiku and his media organisation.

The group cited reports on terrorists’ attacks on military formations, desertion by Police personnel, allegations of corruption and scandals in the military hierarchy, as well as the resurfacing of a 2014 claim by soldiers of lack of weaponry to buttress its claims.