Ganduje
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has issued a 14-day
ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to
begin investigation of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State
over $5m bribery allegations against him.
The umbrella organisation of all the registered political parties and
political associations in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday
by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu chided the judiciary for
stopping the governor's investigation by the Kano State House of
Assembly, accusing it of covering corrupt practices involving highly
placed individuals in the country.
Arguing
that "the burden of proof that the President Muhammadu Buhari
government is covering corrupt members of his party is heavier now
with the federal government's continued silence over the allegations
against the governor.
"We are amazed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) has been looking the other way while the allegations against
the Kano State governor lingers but quick to freeze the accounts of
opposition parties states at the least suspicion of graft.
"We are left to believe that the federal government under
President Muhammadu Buhari and the EFCC under Mr Ibrahim Magu only
fights corruption in states with opposition leadership.
"Not a few Nigerians have argued that the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) is a hiding place for corrupt politicians
and a cover for looters who want respite from the anti-graft agencies
under the current federal government.
"We are totally behind the position of the State House of
Assembly that the courts cannot stop it from carrying out its
legislative duties and urge the lawmakers to conclude the
investigation without fear or favour.
"It is shocking that instead of taking advantage of the fair
hearing offered the governor by the state Assembly, Governor Ganduje
chose to approach the court to stop the probe.
"Even when the Assembly offered the governor the liberty to
appear before the its seven-man investigative panel, the governor
chose the dishonourable path by going for a black market order from
the Kano State High Court instead of proving his innocence before the
committee.
"We are more worried that the EFCC has turned the other way
while the Presidency has said that the issue didn't border it.
"We therefore demand immediate commencement of full
investigation into the allegations by the EFCC within 14 days or be
legally compelled to do so", the CNPP threatened.
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