₦airaland Forum

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has defended the donation of N21.27bn to its presidential campaign by some individuals and governors in the party.

Some of the critics wondered why the party and President Goodluck Jonathan would also collect donations from governors who were unable to pay salaries to workers in their states.

The governors collectively donated N1.05bn.

Some lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, have also called for the prosecution of the party and the donors.

But the party said that those criticising the party and President Goodluck Jonathan for the money were merely bellyaching.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, said the party did not flout any law in raising the funds.

Oladipo said those criticising the party were free to do so, adding that “comments are free” and that those speaking against the donation were ignorant of the law.

He said those complaining about the donation might also not be aware that some group of individuals came together to make donations.

He said Nigerians should know that a presidential campaign is money-spinning in Nigeria.

Oladipo said, “Comments are free. But Nigerians should know that elections and campaigns are money-spinning; they cost money.

“But let me add that as long as the fund-raising we did was and is still within the armpit of the law, then we have not breached any law.

“What we did was legitimate. We didn’t force anyone to donate at all.

“You may wish to know that some employees came together to donate. Those bellyaching are busybodies, but let them know that what we did is within the law and the Constitution is not against it.”

Oladipo assured Nigerians and members of the party, including the donors, that the money would be judiciously spent.

But Nigerians should know that elections and campaigns are money-spinning; they cost money.

“What we did was legitimate. We didn’t force anyone to donate at all.

Obinoscopy:
N21 billion donathan isn't illegal IF the donors did not donate more than a million naira INDIVIDUALLY. Also there's no limit to the total amount to be realised in a donation campaign, it's the spending aspect that has a limit of a billion naira.
So for now, we can't tell if it was legal or not.
However, I think it's time PDP or the donors give us the full breakdown of the individuals who donated and the amount they donated. We deserve to know.
Also, I recommend that INEC employ the services of professional auditors who will monitor the spending of each political party during the campaign proper. This way we can know when a party flouts the 1 billion naira spending limit.

frustratedman:
Sai Buhari


GMB TILL 2019

BlaiseJohn:
who go do am-

egift:
With this type of blatant abuse of the constitution, PDP has maintained its disdain to our legal institutions and keep showing their affinity to Corrupt tendencies.

Vote out Jonathan before it is too late.

Obinoscopy:
N21 billion donathan isn't illegal IF the donors did not donate more than a million naira INDIVIDUALLY. Also there's no limit to the total amount to be realised in a donation campaign, it's the spending aspect that has a limit of a billion naira.

So for now, we can't tell if it was legal or not.

However, I think it's time PDP or the donors give us the full breakdown of the individuals who donated and the amount they donated. We deserve to know.

Also, I recommend that INEC employ the services of professional auditors who will monitor the spending of each political party during the campaign proper.