Cleric wants FG to probe APC’s election funding

From Judex Okoro, Calabar

Former chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Cross River State branch, Bishop Emmah Isong, has tasked the Federal Government to probe All Progressives Congress (APC) sources of election campaign funds.
He said this has become pertinent in view of the on-going probe of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential election funding by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking during an interview with newsmen in Calabar yesterday, Isong said President Buhari would have proved to Nigerians that he was serious about the anti-corruption war.
Isong, who is the bishop in charge of Christian Central Chapel International in Calabar, said: “Although I am not supporting corruption, but you cannot start punishing only PDP officials who sponsored the last election with government funds without talking about APC stalwarts who also sponsored the 2015 general election to take over power from the ruling party.
“APC did not use waterleaf or mango to win that election; they also used money to win that exercise. We should know the source of money APC used for that election.
“Buhari said he had no money for campaign when he started. So, how was that miracle achieved? This is the kind of corruption that we want addressed, not a biased one that is lopsided.”
On the issue of militancy, he disclosed that it has been fuelled by the kind of politics practised in the country, adding that agitations in different parts of the country at any given time was meant to pursue political relevance.
He said: “Militancy in Nigeria had over the years been encouraged by politics. It is a way of negotiating for political recognition and it has become a tradition. Until we stop recognising criminality and break the cycle, it will continue to attract federal presence.”