Imported User:
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Wednesday warned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against interference in the fuel subsidy scam probe in the House of Representatives as the issue was beyond politics.
Mr Osita Okechukwu, Chairman of CNPP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the bribery allegation involving $620,000 should not be allowed to scuttle the implementation of the committee’s report.
The bribery scandal involves the Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on fuel subsidy management, Mr Farouk Lawan and Chairman of Zenon Petroleum, Chief Femi Otedola.
Okechukwu noted that the case was beyond PDP but had to do with the integrity of all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
He said it was unfortunate that more than 60 per cent of public office holders in the country had ``odious, sordid past ’’.
The Chairman called on all concerned to be committed to the implementation of the oil subsidy report and shun the allegation of bribery making the rounds.
He described the scandal as ``an unnecessary diversion’’ and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to commence the implementation of the fuel subsidy management report.
Mr Olisemeka Akamukali, Deputy National Chairman, Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) said the ongoing accusations and counter-accusations between Farouk Lawan, and the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum, Femi Otedola, over allegations of bribery involving $620,000 was a very serious issue and of national interest.
He warned that as serious as it was PDP officials must not use it to divert attention on the implementation of the report of the committee.
Akamukali said Nigerians were worried because of the outcome of such cases in recent past, stressing that similar probe by the House into the $16 billion spent on power during the Obasanjo regime ``went with the wind''.
He said it was unfortunate that the report was never implemented and Nigeria remained in the dark as it was dumped into the dustbin of history.
``The fact that Farouk has soiled his hands is not enough to condemn the report to the dust bin of history, the bribery allegation must be thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable dealt with according to the laws of the land.
``Any attempt by any political party to cast aspersion on the report will be resisted by Nigerians because this will not be an easy game, like before.
Akamukali said all the antics of Lawan was an after thought, stressing that the money exchange took place between April 21 and April 24, 2012 while Lawan wrote to the police on May 9, 2012.
He asked why it took Lawan that long for the incident to be reported as indicated on the letters.
Akamukali said the idea of keeping the money with an individual, instead of CBN, EFCC, ICPC or the Nigeria Police Force had indicted Lawan.
He said he was an old hand in the political circle therefore he should know the right step to take. (NAN)
