ACN urges EFCC, ICPC to probe PDP’s N9.6b campaign funds

Sunday Omoniyi and Ologun Sanni, Abuja 28/03/2011 00:49:00

•Party dismisses allegation


The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using kickback funds creamed off the proceeds of a rice waver to funds its campaign for next month’ elections.

The party, in a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the PDP-controlled Federal Government granted a duty concession on the importation of 500,000 metric tons of rice (10 million bags) to what it called an unscrupulous firm, and then received as kickback N9.6 billion, representing two-thirds of the clearing charges, which the party has been using to fund its electioneering campaign.

In addition, it said, the waiver - which can only be granted by the President - resulted in a loss to the Federation Account of N14.5 billion in duty, surcharge, CISS, ECOWAS fee, rice levy and clearing charges, while also causing a distortion in the economy by putting the rice market in disarray.

Challenging PDP to deny these claims, ACN called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate this act of corruption and economic sabotage, for its corrosive effects on the economy and the general elections.

Explaining the details of the duty concession, the party said after the Federal Government gave duty concession to some unknown oil companies, to import 500,000 metric tons of rice, the companies then hawked the concession to an unscrupulous rice importer, with a gratification payment of two-thirds of the import duty payable, which was then given to the PDP for electioneering campaign at the detriment of the country and other rice importers who have paid correct duty on their own importation as stipulated by law.

‘’Genuine importers of rice are now unable to sell their rice with a landing cost of N7,000 per bag at the current price of N6,000 per bag - the price at which the importer that received the waiver from the government is selling. Consequently, these genuine importers who employ thousands of people have been forced to lay off their workers as they face huge bank loans.

‘’Furthermore, the public is being denied the opportunity of buying high quality rice because of the price differential between the rice imported under the duty concession, which is of inferior quality, and the various brands of high quality rice brought in by genuine importers.

‘’This deal (duty concession), which we warned against in a statement last year, has exposed the unpatriotic attitude of the PDP and its bigwigs, their win-at-all cost mentality and their disposition to corrupt practices and other acts that are detrimental to the economy of the country,’’ the ACN said.

But the PDP described ACN’s allegation as wild.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Mallam Abba Daboh, said: "I will say it is another wild allegation. Rubbish. Another wild, wild ACN allegation. They are clinging at straws again. I see it as another allegation of the ACN that it has become infamous for without recourse to finding any decent way to defend it. I dismiss the allegation in its entirety."

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