Chuks Okocha
28 November 2008
Abuja — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday broke its silence over the controversy generated by its N10 billion fund raising ceremony for its national secretariat, stating that it did not violate any known law of Nigeria.
Since the November 4 fund raising in Abuja, both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and opposition political parties, led by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Presidential Candidate in the 2007 presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari and the Action Congress (AC), had consistently accused PDP of violating the 2006 Electoral Act and the Company and Allied Matters Act of 1999.
But in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Professor Ahmed Rufai Alkali, PDP said, "there is no provision in the 1999 Constitution, especially Section 225, which covers finances of political parties, prohibiting fund raising through donation by a political party."
The obligation of the party is to submit to INEC at such times and in such manner the Commission may require, a statement of its assets and liabilities and a detailed annual statement and analysis of its sources of funds and other assets together with a similar statement of its expenditure in such form as INEC may require.
"Under Article 18(c) of the registered Constitution of the PDP, donation is one of the sources of funds for the party. That provision is not in conflict with any provision of the 1999 Constitution or the Electoral Act, 2006. In fact, it draws inspiration and support from them.
The party noted that under Section 92(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, it acknowledges "the right of a political party to receive contribution from individuals or group of persons, as may be limited by INEC with an obligation to maintain a record of all contributions and the amount contributed."
However, PDP said the limitation prescribed in Section 93(2-7) of the Electoral Act, 2006 relates to election expenses and is, therefore, inapplicable to fund raising or donation towards the building of a national secretariat.
"The Fund raising event recently carried out by PDP is therefore lawful, constitutional and transparent. We are also gladdened that the event was successful without recourse to public funds as mischievously reported in some sections of the media," the party noted.
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