Two groups, Democratic Young Patriot (DYP) and Ikwerre Youths in the Diaspora (IYD), say the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, should be commended for his selflessness in funding some political assignments for the PDP ahead , during and after the 2015 presidential election on the instructions of the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.groups
Anenih has been named by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as recipient of the sum of N260 million paid into his account by the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)
The former Chair of the PDP BoT had reportedly explained in his letter to the anti-graft agency that the money was a part refund of his personal resources that he expended on some political assignments given to him by the former President Jonathan, pointing out that on his instructions, he disbursed N263 million to three major groups.
The groups are a northern group led by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (N63 million), National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae (N100 million) and leader of the ACCORD Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja (N100 million), all of whom have since confirmed receiving the stated amounts.
Anenih had stated in his letter to the EFCC that he actually disbursed more than N440 million to carry out the presidential instructions for which he was asked to supply his account details for a refund, pointing out that he did not need to ask the former president how and where he was going to source the refund.
Speaking yesterday with some journalists in Abuja at different fora, Coordinator of a political group, Democratic Young Patriots (DYP), Mr Ariyo-Dare Atoye, and President of Ikwerre Youths in the Diaspora, Mr Orlu Henry Manuchimso said that those denigrating Anenih in the media should rather commend him for his commitment and transparent role in the failed re-election bid of former President Jonathan.
According to Atoye, “As a group, Democratic Young Patriots has looked at the issue and wishes to empathize with Chief Tony Anenih on the obvious embarrassment and misrepresentation the payment of N260 million refund into his account from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) has caused him.
“We note with great understanding the claim that he spent over N440 million on political assignments given to him by former President Jonathan. What, perhaps, is more gratifying is the fact that he did not divert the money to himself as the indirect beneficiaries of the money, among them Chief Olu Falae, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, and Senator Rashidi Ladoja, have confirmed receiving N100m, N63m and N100m respectively from him.
“This is integrity in politics. It also shows that he was selfless and committed to the stability of his party and the success of his party’s presidential candidate.
“Our group also would like to commend the EFCC for what we consider to be its understanding in the handling of the issue concerning Chief Tony Anenih.”
President of Ikwerre Youths in the Diaspora, Mr Manuchimso also said that “Chief Anenih has shown himself as a reliable political leader of our South-south zone by being selfless and truthful in the disbursement of personal funds to carry out assignments in support of the presidential candidature of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
“He should be commended for not diverting the fund to personal use or shortchanging those the funds were meant for. He was not a direct beneficiary of the fund. He disbursed the exact amounts to the respective beneficiaries as instructed. This is commendable. Chief Anenih should be encouraged and appreciated for his unwavering loyalty and leadership.”
