Buhari’s Administration Borrowed N12tn in Three Years, PDP Alleges

Buhari’s Administration Borrowed N12tn in Three Years, PDP Alleges

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has borrowed a total of N12.27 trillion within three years without  any significant development project to show how the huge fund was invested.

The main opposition party also said that the presidency lacks the competence and integrity to run a creative, transparent and credible administration that could guarantee economic growth, wealth creation and a dependable system.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan who disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday, stressed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) are desperate to remain in power at all costs, so as to continue to exploit Nigerians, protect APC corrupt leaders, cover their incompetence and conceal the humongous sleazes in their administration.

He noted that the APC administration wants to remain in power to prevent investigation into the N14 trillion allegedly stolen under its watch, including the N9 trillion stolen from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo; the over N1.4 trillion alleged oil subsidy sleaze and the N1.1 trillion worth of crude diverted using 18 unregistered companies linked to APC interests.

The PDP said this was in addition to the N33billion National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) fund, and the over N18 billion stolen out of the N48 billion approved by the National Assembly in the 2017 budget for the rehabilitation of IDPs in the Northeast, among others.

Ologbondiyan stated: “Furthermore, the Buhari-led APC administration is desperate to avoid an investigation into its unwholesome borrowings that led to the escalation of our nation’s debt stock from N12.12 trillion in 2015 to an overburdening N24.39 trillion in 2018.

“Within a space of three years, this administration has borrowed a total of N12.27 trillion, yet it cannot point to any significant development project into which the money was invested. This includes the N2.66 trillion borrowed in 2018, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“These and many more are funds meant for infrastructural development and welfare of Nigerians but have been cornered by APC leaders.”

Ologbondiyan noted that the negative effect was the further dipping of the country’s economy, as investor’s confidence, which shored up at the expressed resolve by Nigerians to elect  Atiku Abubakar as their next President,  slumped with the rigging of the Presidential election.

He added, “This is the reason the APC and the cabal at the incompetent Buhari Presidency resorted to violence, intimidation as well as manipulations and alteration of results at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the February 23, Presidential election.”

The PDP spokesman said that this also explains why APC agents and certain presidential  aides had been making desperate efforts to distract the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal and derail the course of justice by making and promoting baseless judicial interpretations and externalising the proceedings of the court.

The PDP however urged Nigerians not to despair but continue to be steadfast in the aspiration for the recovery of the stolen presidential mandate at the tribunal, as this is the only way to return the nation to the path of peace, national unity and a vibrant economy.

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