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| Former President Goodluck Jonathan |
Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national vice chairmen have dissociated themselves from some prominent members indicted in the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal perpetrated under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
The party chiefs also expressed support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.
A number of PDP chieftains, including former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and the immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, are on trial for their alleged roles in the scandal.
At a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the party vice chairmen agreed that the country’s economic growth could be stunted, if corruption was not eradicated.
In a communique by PDP Vice Chairman, Southsouth, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the party chiefs dissociated the PDP from any corrupt practices while in power.
“The body notes with great concern the various allegations and charges against some PDP members that served in the previous government.
“Even as these allegations and charges are yet to be proved, we call on the President to also investigate some of his serving ministers and associates that even more grievous allegations have been levelled against,” the communique said.
The party chiefs warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any of the party members convicted for corruption.
Stating PDP’s position on the ideals of its founding fathers, they insisted on the adherence to the rule of law in the process leading to the trial of the suspects in the arms cash scandal.
They enjoined party members to remain resolute and wait for the party’s pending repositioning, “where square pegs will be placed in square holes and justice and equity will prevail”.
The communique reads: “Furthermore, we reaffirm that mediocres will no longer be allowed to govern the affairs of the party. Power will now be returned to the people at the grassroots.
“We make bold to say that those who are corrupt have left the party and those who left are indisputably mercenaries and soldiers of fortune.
“That in spite of having lost the presidential election, the PDP remains the largest party in Nigeria and Africa and we intend to keep it so.
“That the vast majority of PDP members at the grassroots are innocent and not corrupt and accordingly, we frown at and reject the notion and tagging of the PDP as a corrupt party.
“That Nigerians will realise soon that the PDP remains the only viable choice for the unity and progress of Nigeria.
“The body hereby commends our governors who are the leaders in the states and reiterate our call on them to remain resolute and steadfast.”
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