Former director, Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPCO), Femi Fani-Kayode has denied receiving the sum of N1.7 billion from former President Goodluck Jonathan or former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. SamboDasuki.
The former PDP spokesperson claimed that he had never been in receipt of any public funds and neither was he the beneficiary of any payments in cash, transfer, cheque or otherwise from any government official during the tenure of President Jonathan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the former Aviation Minister said during his stint as director of the PDP presidential campaign spokesperson, he only received funds on behalf of the Directorate of Media and Publicity from private individuals and companies during the election campaigns..
According to Mr. Fani-Kayode, such monies were transferred into his account by the Director of Finance of the Presidential Campaign Organisation and that the account was specifically set up for the purpose of running the publicity and media aspect of the campaign for the entire country.
He argued that funds sent to him was used in a lawful and responsible manner and by the time the campaigns were over the Directorate had paid all of its bills for services rendered and was not owing any media house or anyone else.
Below is Mr. Fani-Kayode’s response to the allegations of pocketing N1.7 billion from the arms funds:
“I read with amusement the allegation that was made in saharareporters, the unofficial media wing of the Buhari administration, the SSS and the EFCC, that I was given 1.7 billion naira cash by President Goodluck Jonathan. This is false. A few hours later, they changed their story and said that I received 1.7 billion naira from the office of the former NSA, Colonel SamboDasuki. This is also false.
“I have not ever been in receipt of any public funds and neither was I the beneficiary of any payments in cash, transfer, cheque or otherwise from any government official during the tenure of President Jonathan.
“Not one kobo of public funds was spent by or given to my Directorate during the campaign and as far as I am aware not one kobo of public funds was spent by or given to the PCO. Presidential campaigns all over the world cost huge amounts of money and Nigeria is no different.
“No election campaign anywhere in the world, including that of President Buhari was run with just words, goodwill, grass and pebbles and neither were we given free campaign adverts or air time. All these things were run and paid for with large sums of money.
“Nothing was done or given to us free of charge by anyone. This should not be a surprise to anyone as the APC and President Buhari’s campaign organisation did the same. I opened an account specifically for the funds that were used to run my Directorate and fund all our activities in order to ensure accountability and transparency.
“We also audited our accounts regularly and insisted on the highest level of professionalism from all those that worked for or with us. Since when such matters have become a crime or subjects of criminal investigations I don’t know. If it was a crime to speak up for Jonathan during the campaign they should just say so.
“If it is a crime to be a member of the PDP and to be in opposition they should just say so. If it is a crime to speak up for and defend President Jonathan and key members of his government after he has left office they should just say so. If it is a crime to oppose the Buhari administration and speak up against his gross violations of human rights that they are indulging in and the violation of court orders they should just say so,” Fani-Kayode said.
By Olisemeka Obeche