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•Alleges APC, Tinubu mopping up cash for vote buying
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has accused All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu of mopping up cash for vote buying in the forthcoming election general elections.
It, however, ommended its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for standing with Nigerians.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, yesterday, said it was the timely and patriotic intervention by Atiku that led to the extension of the initial cash swap deadline, an accomplishment it said demonstrated the former vice president’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians, but also his experience, capacity and integrity to stand for the people and get the system to work for the public good.
It, however, linked the persisting scarcity of the redesigned Naira notes to sabotage by APC leaders.
The party said Tinubu was pointing accusing fingers at others over the scarcity of the new Naira notes, while allegedly seeking to exploit the situation.
“The PDP decries the excruciating pain and distress being faced by Nigerians arising from their inability to access the new Naira Notes occasioned by the reported nefarious activities of corrupt APC leaders who are compromising the system to intercept and hoard the new bank notes for their selfish vote-buying plans ahead of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.
“Our party is however saddened that the cash crunch had persisted due to the sabotage of corrupt APC leaders, including the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who are alleged to have masterminded the intercepting and hoarding of the new notes for their selfish agenda.
“The PDP is therefore disgusted by the hypocrisy being exhibited by the APC Presidential Candidate, who, despite his alleged role in the cash scarcity is pointing accusing fingers at others and seeking to exploit the ugly situation to incite unsuspecting Nigerians with the view to disrupting the 2023 general elections.
“Asiwaju Tinubu and his apologists in the APC are aware that he has no chance in the election and thus are devising all manner of shenanigans to overheat the polity, derail the electoral process and force an undemocratic situation upon our country.
“Nigerians now know the truth and hold Asiwaju Tinubu and the APC directly responsible for the anguish they have been subjected to in the face of this excruciating cash scarcity; another reason they will deal Tinubu a humiliating blow with their votes at the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.
“The PDP calls on President Buhari to protect Nigerians by going after these felonious APC leaders as well as the saboteurs in the system who are reportedly working with the APC Presidential Campaign to mop up cash meant for distribution to our citizens.
“Our Party stands with Nigerians; the artisans, traders, drivers, “keke” and “okada” riders, labourers, food vendors, students and all hard-working citizens at this time of distress.
“The PDP charges the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be mindful of the sufferings being experienced daily by Nigerians and demands that the bank takes urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.
“Among other measures, the CBN should immediately provide dedicated Mobile Banks and Special Cash Points in areas of need particularly in the markets and rural areas of our country. Using such facilities to dispense low amounts in markets and rural areas will drastically reduce the pain and anguish being experienced by Nigerians at this time.”
