₦airaland Forum

The Initiative to Save Democracy has responded to the claims by PDP stalwart, Timi Frank that 90 Billion Naira was used from the FIRS to prosecute the 2019 elections stating that this claim was uncalled for, untrue and misleading.

The Pro-Democracy Group in a statement by its Publicity Secretary Peter Oladele stated that the statements issued Timi Frank were blatant fake news and an abuse of the constitutional right to freedom of speech, further stating that all the “so-called activist wanted was to muddy clean waters with an absolute untruth from nowhere, and attempt to smear the names of good men.”

“It is disheartening to see the very medium to inform and enlighten citizens being used as a tool for spreading rumours and propaganda. The recent statements by Comrade Timi Frank, making its runs on several media platforms, hauling unfathomable accusations at the Vice President and the FIRS boss is one of such misuse of media.”

The group highlighted that reports by the FIRS already made clear that the agency had not received up to N100 billion per annum  as Cost of Collection from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, a public institution, whose records are a matter of public records and thus to insinuate the agency supported the APC, through the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with N90 billion in the concluded election is outrageous and outlandish. 

“The FIRS is neither a money dispensing or electoral funding organisation, and like several other organizations, they have processes and structures before a single dime can be spent. The FIRS Budget and expenditure approval processes pass through the Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance, after which they are presented to the National Assembly for Appropriation into Law. The National Assembly committees, consisting of all parties - whether PDP or APC - exercise oversight function on all agencies of the Federal Government to ensure agencies keep to the letters of the Appropriation Act.”

“Thus FIRS’ operations are subjected to scrutiny and close monitoring by the National Assembly, the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee and the Ministry of Finance. There is therefore no way such an amount as claimed by Timi Frank could have been expended without it being sighted by either of these institutions.”

ISD further stated that: “To believe the preposterous existence of the alleged sum is to accuse esteemed individuals of collusion and oversight but more detrimental, is to undermine the great work of the outstanding members in such offices. To insinuate that these governmental organizations are involved in electoral misconduct is an affront to public trust and an insult to our democracy as well as the electoral process.”

“What makes a source credible is the presence of verifiable proofs, however Mr Frank has provided none of such because the events portrayed in his statement are factless and borderline vindictive. They are baseless accusations which only seek to destroy the confidence placed in the government and its organizations and processes by her people.”

The democracy group urged the media houses to conduct due diligence by fact checking articles as well as conduct their own investigative journalism to avoid being pawns and tools by scrupulous, ill meaning and self serving individuals like Timi Frank.

It further urged Nigerians not to be too hasty in believing the worst and to weigh information they come across especially those from questionable media outlets before forming and spreading opinions.

“We must not loose the trust instilled in the administration and her members, as a house divided amongst itself cannot stand.” It added.

FIRS Fowler should take him to court if he is making a misleading allegation shikena.

All this media denial and counter claim will not convince Nigerians.

then unlead the misleading comment so that those been misled will lead the misleader into a misleading dungeon.


keep deceiving urself, Yahoo Yahoo men y'all need cleansing from above

magoo10:
FIRS Fowler should take him to court if he is making a misleading allegation shikena.

All this media denial and counter claim will not convince Nigerians.

Government agencies cannot sue for libel.

seunmsg:
Government agencies cannot sue for libel.

but he was threatened the other day to be sued if he doesn't retract and apologize rather Timi frank is still standing by his words.
They can get someone to do it on their behalf or even the group making this statement can do it.

Let some evidence be provided

magoo10:
but he was threatened the other day to be sued if he doesn't retract and apologize rather Timi frank is still standing by his words.
They can get someone to do it on their behalf or even the group making this statement can do it.

Any reasonable and rational person knows that Frank's accusation is ill-fated.
Unfortunately, Nigeria has gotten to a state where 'anything goes.'

RoyalUc:
Any reasonable and rational person knows that Frank's accusation is ill-fated.
Unfortunately, Nigeria has gotten to a state where 'anything goes.'

ill-fated because it is not the opposition that is being accused else it will be genuine.
CJN Onnoghen comes to mind

Let them take it to court if they are clean
That is if it will not open other cans of worm.

magoo10:
but he was threatened the other day to be sued if he doesn't retract and apologize rather Timi frank is still standing by his words.
They can get someone to do it on their behalf or even the group making this statement can do it.

He refused to apologize because he knew government agencies cannot sue for libel. However, I expect the Vice President to sue him. Nobody should be allowed to get away with maligning the integrity of others simply because of politics.

seunmsg:
He refused to apologize because he knew government agencies cannot sue for libel. However, I expect the Vice President to sue him. Nobody should be allowed to get away with maligning the integrity of others simply because of politics.

The VP academics is afraid of suing Timi Frank.He rather wants to intimidate media houses from reporting his alleged corrupt deals.What a stupid man.

BTW who told you govt agencies cannot sue for libel? Where did you read that?

seunmsg:
He refused to apologize because he knew government agencies cannot sue for libel. However, I expect the Vice President to sue him. Nobody should be allowed to get away with maligning the integrity of others simply because of politics.

or they will not want to sue so as not to open Can of worms. We are watching

magoo10:
or they will not want to sue so as not to open Can of worms. We are watching

He will be sued. I’m 100% sure.

He should be sued let's stop d media argument because he has refused to apologise. May be he has prove...

magoo10:
ill-fated because it is not the opposition that is being accused else it will be genuine.
CJN Onnoghen comes to mind

Let them take it to court if they are clean
That is if it will not open other cans of worm.

"ill-fated because it is not the opposition that is being accused..."

No, not necessarily. I'm completely in support of thorough investigation. As a matter of fact, EFCC, DSS ought to have invited Frank for questioning.
But you know what? If they do now, Nigerians, and probably you, will accuse the FG of persecuting Frank.

why all this “perambulation“ the guy don talk say make dem carry am go court

RoyalUc:
"ill-fated because it is not the opposition that is being accused..."

No, not necessarily. I'm completely in support of thorough investigation. As a matter of fact, EFCC, DSS ought to have invited Frank for questioning.
But you know what? If they do now, Nigerians, and probably you, will accuse the FG of persecuting Frank.

We will only accuse them if they go about the questioning in a shady way, there is nothing wrong in inviting him as long it is seen to be true by any sane mind

magoo10:
We will only accuse them if they go about the questioning in a shady way, there is nothing wrong in inviting him as long it is seen to be true by any sane mind

Tell me how you will see any move now to be true...

RoyalUc:
Tell me how you will see any move now to be true...

when they invite him for questioning he should be accorded his rights and the informations put into investigation without being harrased or detained unjustly.
Unfortunately the efcc have stated that they won't be investigating the allegations and like I said earlier the allegations are not against the opposition if not they would have swung to action.