Apparently aware of the move to pressure the House of Representatives to drop the ongoing probe of the alleged jet scandal involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned strongly against it.
It was revealed recently by the House that the minister has expended over N10 billion on arbitrary charter and maintenance of a Challenger 850 aircraft.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the investigation into the scandal is of great public interest; hence
those who are reportedly piling pressure on the House Committee on Public Accounts should back off.
It said the allegation that the minister has spent 10 billion naira of taxpayers’ funds to junket around the world in chartered private jets is very serious and cannot be swept under the carpet as the PDP-led Federal Government will like to do.
”Scandal is the hallmark of the PDP-led Federal Government and the presidency, hence both may not feel the public anger at the report that a minister, whose most notable ‘achievement’ is her contribution to Nigerians’ burden with her fixation on endless fuel price increases, has been frittering away the country’s resources on the altar of unprecedented profligacy.
”But Nigerians are interested in knowing the truth. Since the presidency has shown no interest in unravelling the truth about the latest scandal to hit the country under its watch, the House of
Representatives which has taken on the challenge of seeking the truth should not be hindered by anyone.
”Nigerians will like to know whether or not the minister spent the huge funds on jets, who authorized the spending of such funds, whether or not the expenditure was appropriated by the National Assembly and which laws allow a government minister to junket around the world even
on private trips,” APC said.
The party commended the House Committee on Public Accounts for its diligence and stated willingness to be fair to all and to carry out a thorough investigation.
It urged the committee members to continue to put the interest of Nigerians above any individual or party’s interest and to rebuff any attempt to pressure them against carrying out their constitutional duties.
