The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has given a 14-day ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State over $5million bribery allegations levelled against him.
CNPP, which is the umbrella body of all the registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria, said that the “burden of proof that the President Muhammadu Buhari government is covering corrupt members of his party is heavier now with the federal government’s continued silence on the allegations against the governor.”
In a statement it issued in Abuja yesterday, CNPP through its secretary general, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said that it was amazed that the EFCC had looked the other way while the allegations against Gaduje lingers but was quick to freeze the accounts of opposition parties’ states at the least suspicion of graft.
The group said that it was left to believe that the federal government under President Buhari and the EFCC led by Mr. Ibrahim Magu only fight corruption in states with opposition leadership.
Ezugwu said that not a few Nigerians have argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is a hiding place for corrupt politicians and a cover for looters who want respite from the anti-graft agencies under the current federal government.
He said that CNPP supports the position of the Kano State House of Assembly that the court cannot stop it from carrying out its legislative duties and urged the lawmakers to conclude the investigation without fear or favour.
CNPP said that it is shocking that instead of taking advantage of the fair hearing offered the governor by the Assembly, Governor Ganduje allegedly chose to approach the court to stop the probe.
Ezugwu said: “We are more worried that the EFCC has turned the other way while the presidency has said that the issue didn’t border it.
“We therefore demand immediate commencement of full investigation into the allegations by the EFCC within 14 days or be legally compelled to do so”, the CNPP threatened.
