Diezani Jet scandal: APC warns against tampering with House probe
(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, has strongly
warned against any attempt to put pressure on the House of Representatives
Committee that is currently probing the disturbing jet scandal involving
Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke.
In a statement in Lagos on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the investigation into the
scandal is of great public interest, hence those who are reportedly piling
pressure on the House Committee on Public Accounts should back off.
It said the allegation that the minister has spent N10
billion of taxpayers' funds to junket around the world in chartered private
jets is very serious and cannot be swept under the carpet as the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP-led Federal Government will like to do.
''Scandal is the hallmark of the PDP-led Federal Government
and the presidency, hence both may not feel the public anger at the report that
a minister, whose most notable 'achievement' is her contribution to Nigerians'
burden with her fixation on endless fuel price increases, has been frittering
away the country's resources on the altar of unprecedented profligacy.
''But Nigerians are interested in knowing the truth. Since
the presidency has shown no interest in unraveling the truth about the latest
scandal to hit the country under its watch, the House of Representatives which
had taken on the challenge of seeking the truth should not be hindered by
anyone.
''Nigerians will like to know whether or not the minister
spent the huge funds on jets, who authorized the spending of such funds,
whether or not the expenditure was appropriated by the National Assembly and which
laws allow a government minister to junket around the world even on private
trips,'' APC said.
The party commended the House Committee on Public Accounts
for its diligence and stated willingness to be fair to all and to carry out a thorough
investigation.
It urged the committee members to continue to put the interest
of Nigerians above any individual or party's interest and to rebuff any attempt
to pressure them against carrying out their constitutional duties.
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