Fani-Kayode, who is a former Minister of Aviation, said this in an article titled, ‘The Money Transfers and the Truth about the Presidential Campaign Funds’, which he wrote in reaction to allegations levelled against him by the EFCC.
Fani-Kayode had confessed to receiving N840m as the director of publicity during the electioneering last year, but noted that he did not know that the funds emanated from the account of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He, however, described the investigations as a witch-hunt and urged the EFCC to beam its searchlight on Fashola and Amaechi who have since been appointed ministers in Buhari’s government.
Fani-Kayode said, “Instead of using the EFCC to try to rubbish me and my colleagues and smear our good names, those that are in power today should tell us where they got their campaign funds from and how much of it came from the governments of Lagos and Rivers states.
“The two people that headed those two state governments then are now both federal ministers today. One of them, who was the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, was specifically indicted by a judicial commission of inquiry for using millions of dollars of state government funds to run the Buhari campaign, yet nothing happened and his reward was to be appointed as a minister.”
Fani-Kayode alleged that even in the March 19, 2015 rerun election in Rivers State, Amaechi transported N5bn to the state but the EFCC had done nothing about it.
He added, “Again what about the N5bn cash that was flown down to Port Harcourt in Rivers State from Abuja in chartered plane a couple of days before the rerun election that took place on March 19, 2016? Where did they get that amount of cash from and what was its purpose and source?
“What has the EFCC said or leaked about that? It appears that there is one law for those that are in power today and another for those that are not. Why persecute the innocent and leave the guilty? Was it a crime to fight and lose an election?”
The former minister said Buhari spent 10 times more than Jonathan during the last election. He said Buhari as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, hired the same campaign managers that headed United States President’s campaign.
Fani-Kayode alleged that the campaign managers were paid $10m.
He also claimed that the Jonathan campaign team was underfunded as it was not even given vehicles with which to move around during the electioneering.
He added, “I might add that we spent far less money than the APC and the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation because they had access to massive amounts of state government funds and they used those funds effectively. For every million naira we spent, they spent 10.
“They even contracted the services of a famous American media consultant (the same one that President Obama used in 2008) and paid him $10m for his counsel and advice. They had fleets of cars and buses whilst my directorate was not even given one vehicle to get our people around.
“The official jeep that was meant to have been given to us for our operations during the campaign was highjacked and it never arrived.
“We were forced to use our own personal vehicles and we were glad to do so. Yet the other side had everything that money could buy. They even chartered numerous private jets throughout the campaign to get around the country. Where did they get all their funding from? Why is the EFCC not leaking stories or talking about that?”
Faulting Fani-Kayode, the APC National Vice-Chairman said the ex-spokesman should provide proof, if he alleged that the two APC governors financed Buhari’s campaigns.
“It is not just by making allegations. They should bring proof. In our own case, we have brought proof, people are returning money. Is that not so? These are some of the things we must interrogate. In fact, there is no need for us to respond to them (PDP campaign). The fact speaks for itself.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This vice chairman of APC is just a moron. When Rivers state brought out proof what happened, did EFCC even invite Amaechi.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand what Fani is saying. Are you saying you should not be prosecuted for receiving stolen fund because you perceived someone committed the same crime as a lawyer? Your own time has come, face it squarely, obey the law you went abroad to study. Be a good example.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying those he mentioned did not steal money from their state? US government said the anti corruption campaign is witch hunting. Can't you look at it in that direction. I will not support his anti corruption campaign until Fashola, Amaechi, Tinubu and Atiku are invited by EFCC.
DeleteThe US government said it is witch-hunting...so what?!!!
DeleteTo hell with whatever trash the US govt had said! They ain't running our govt for us.
If there's any evidence against Rotimi & Fashola, let it be tendered.
For now let FFK answer for what he did with 820million of the Nigeria wealth.
KJoe
Loathe him or love him, he has a very pertinent point. Those folks at EFCC are not worth their salaries and allowances if they expect people to get evidences for them. Probe everyone's campaign funding and show you are fair in what you are doing. That doesn't mean Fani shouldn't face d music. It's just unfair what is going on. I'm definitely not a fan of selective justice.
DeleteOga Femi Fani-Kayode, U have made valid points. However the APC National Vice-Chairman also has a point. Nigerians will be very much committed to falling in line behind u if u can publish valid proofs of your allegations in the public media. Forget the EFCC. Nigerians have already lost confidence in the EFCC. Just use the social media and public media to spread the physical evidence, especially the one that shows the $10 million dollars that was paid that american. U can leave the rest for the Nigerian youths. We will help u to make it go viral and stink to high heavens. However, if have no proof, just let that matter be and go face the charges against u. We are tired of empty rantings and hear-says without clear evidence to prove them. I am sure that as an educated man, u will do the needful and very fast too.
ReplyDeletePls what kind of proof do EFCC needs?if one is alleged it is ur duty to invite the person for interrogation and set him free if there no further action to be taken,however,whenever PDP is alleged we all prosecute dem and taged dem as thieves abi?pls let us wake up from slumber,Fayemi did not denied #50m water but he asked for invoice for evidence,he did not denied borrowing 35billion and same for Fashola who said he didn't sign cheque as accused for #200million for 2 boreholes and personal internet upgrade neither do Amaechi denied his too,so why has efcc not searching for the truth?probe everybody and not opposition only.
ReplyDeleteWe all know what you are saying is right. But am afraid Fasola and Rotimi time has not come. But yours is here, so face squarely....bunch of political thieves.
ReplyDeleteThere was patently clear evidence against both Fashola and Amaechi, but EFCC and ICPC refused to act. Even Sylva who had been in court from Yaradua's days had his charges dropped by the current Attorney General and EFCC. We don't need the US to tell us that the anti corruption prosecution is selective, if we can see and think ourselves! It's obvious!
ReplyDeleteI like it when people can see that this is selective justice and witch hunting. Femi Fani-Kayode may be guilty which I don't have problem with him being invited and tried but when people in APC are shielded then there is no change as they claim. They are all bunch of thieves.
ReplyDeleteAPC and Buhari aim in this administration is to bring their enemies down which is the opposition, Buhari is only painting the picture to the public that PDP is not a party but corrupt people, but from my own point of view Buhari is not fighting any corruption at all he is only after PDP members so that they will not smell that seat of power forever, they should know that not everyone in Nigeria are Mumu there are people who have sense of reasoning, in as much as one is not encouraging corruption, let him also probe some of these accused APC in his cabinet otherwise, he is not fighting any corruption but witch hunt
ReplyDelete