By Olusegun Lawrence Facts have emerged on how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sealed a working agreement with the Olu Falae-led Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Anenih, while responding to a query from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on how he got N260 million from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), explained details of the working agreement between the PDP and SDP that led to the release of N100 million to the SDP through Mr. Falae.
Already, the trio of Falae, Yakassai and Ladoja have already confirmed that they received N100 million, N63 million and N100 million respectively from Anenih for purposes specified in his letter.
It was however learnt that Anenih, stated in the letter that former President Jonathan requested for his account details for reimbursement of the money that he spent on some political assignments he (Jonathan) gave to him and was therefore not in a position to know which Office his account details would be sent for reimbursement.
He was also said to have in the letter to the EFCC that he spent over N440 million of his personal money, which the N260 million paid into his account could not defray.
Prompt News gathered that the PDP agreed to the six issues raised by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before it could support the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
A letter by the then PDP BoT Chairman, Mr. Anenih, dated January 26, 2015, confirmed the claim by the National Chairman of the SDP, Mr. Olu Falae, that there was actually inter-party cooperation between the PDP and the SDP to support Jonathan’s presidential ambition.
Anenih’s letter had clearly responded to the six issues raised by the SDP, thus paving the way for a working cooperation with the PDP.
The letter, entitled: “Inter-Party Co-operation” and signed by Anenih in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP reads: “I write to sincerely thank you for your letter dated January 23,2015, on the above subject matter.
“After due consultations with relevant stakeholders of our party, I am pleased to convey to you our decisions on the issues and to further inform you that the President and the leadership of our party have expressed delight and strong optimism to fully cooperate and work with the SDP in the circumstance.”
Anenih stated on “the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference” that “Please be assured that the report of the National Conference will be implemented to the letter. We believe that having regards to the fact that the National Conference was a baby of the President, he is in a better position to implement it. And this is what he is doing.”
On “zero tolerance to corruption”, he responded: “There is no doubt that our party, the PDP and your party, the SDP, are on the same page on this issue. Apart from the fact that this administration has done more arrests, investigations, prosecutions and convictions of corrupt cases, the President has continuously laid emphasis on the need to develop an appropriate technology to comprehensively combat corruption and its vices.
“The approach, for example, has produced immense results in eliminating corruption that was associated with the distribution of fertilizers in Nigeria in the past.”
On “intensification of efforts to defeat insurgency”, he said: “it is the primary duty of Government to protect the lives and property of its citizens and secure the territorial integrity of the nation. This Government has consistently made efforts to deal with the challenges of Boko Haram who have established their operational base somewhere between some States in the North-East of the country and the boundary with some of our neighbouring African countries.
“Terrorism has become a global phenomenon and fighting it requires the co-operation of not just the entire citizens but the support of the international community. The President is working on this. In his recent visit to Borno and in a rally in Maiduguri few days ago, he assured the people that every inch of Nigerian soil currently under the control of insurgents will be recovered in no distant time.”
On “combating unemployment”, Anenih stated, “This is certainly a primary focus of this Administration considering the various programmes designed and implemented since 2011; programmes such as SURE-P, YouWin, Agricultural and Industrial transformation, including the railways that have generated massive employment opportunities for Nigerians. The President intends to sustain the tempo and improve on existing records.”
On “reduction of recurrent expenditure and increase in capital expenditure”, he explained, “This is an area that the President is not only ready to give a critical look at but he is also prepared to welcome new ideas and positive contributions from leaders of the SDP.”
The sixth issue, which dwelled on “participation of SDP in the PDP Government”, he responded thus: “Please be assured that the SDP will be considered as worthy participant in the Government and will be adequately consulted in this regards.”
