Two groups,
Democratic Young Patriot (DYP) and Ikwerre Youths in the Diaspora (IYD), say the
former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Chief Tony Anenih, should be commended for his selflessness in funding some political
assignments for the PDP ahead , during and after the 2015 presidential election on the
instructions of the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
Anenih has been
named by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as recipient of
the sum of N260 million paid into his account by the Office of the former
National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)
The former Chair of
the PDP BoT had reportedly explained in his letter to the anti-graft agency
that the money was a part refund of his personal resources that he expended on
some political assignments given to him by the former President Jonathan,
pointing out that on his instructions,
he disbursed N263 million to three major groups.
The groups are a
northern group led by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (N63 million),
National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae (N100
million) and leader of the ACCORD Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja (N100 million),
all of whom have since confirmed receiving the stated amounts.
Anenih had stated
in his letter to the EFCC that he actually disbursed more than N440 million to
carry out the presidential instructions for which he was asked to supply his
account details for a refund, pointing out that he did not need to ask the former
president how and where he was going to source the refund.
Speaking yesterday with
some journalists in Abuja at different fora,
Coordinator of a political group, Democratic Young Patriots (DYP), Mr Ariyo-Dare Atoye, and President of Ikwerre
Youths in the Diaspora, Mr Orlu Henry Manuchimso said that those denigrating
Anenih in the media should rather commend him for his commitment and
transparent role in the failed re-election bid of former President Jonathan.
According to Atoye,
“As a group, Democratic Young
Patriots has looked at the issue and
wishes to empathize with Chief Tony Anenih on the obvious embarrassment and misrepresentation
the payment of N260 million refund into his account from the office of the
former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) has caused him.
“We note with great
understanding the claim that he spent over N440 million on political
assignments given to him by former President Jonathan. What, perhaps, is more gratifying is the fact
that he did not divert the money to himself as the indirect beneficiaries of
the money, among them Chief Olu Falae, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, and Senator
Rashidi Ladoja, have confirmed receiving N100m, N63m and N100m respectively
from him.
“This is integrity
in politics. It also shows that he was
selfless and committed to the stability of his party and the success of his
party’s presidential candidate.
“Our group also
would like to commend the EFCC for what we consider to be its understanding in
the handling of the issue concerning Chief Tony Anenih.”
President
of
Ikwerre Youths in the Diaspora, Mr Manuchimso also said that “Chief
Anenih has
shown himself as a reliable political leader of our South-south zone by
being
selfless and truthful in the disbursement of personal funds to carry out
assignments in support of the presidential candidature of Dr Goodluck
Jonathan. Some other persons might have shortchanged the fund
beneficiaries in the process of disbursement.
“He should be
commended for not diverting the fund to personal use or shortchanging those the
funds were meant for. He was not a
direct beneficiary of the fund. He
disbursed the exact amounts to the respective beneficiaries as instructed. This is commendable. Chief Anenih should be encouraged and
appreciated for his unwavering loyalty and leadership”
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