By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) — National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae have defended the N100M (One Hunred Million) from Colonel Sambo Dasuki Rtd, former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, given to the party before 2011 General Elections.
In a statement, SDP National Publicity Secretary, Abdul Ahmed Isiaq said, neither the SDP nor Chief Olu Falae was aware of Col. Dauki’s Arms deal money prior to that time.
He said their Party, as well as many Nigerians were aware that the PDP had a fund raising event prior to the Elections, where Billions of Naira was donated.
“Our Attention has been drawn to a story in the news and internet, that the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Chief Olu Falae GCON CFR collected N100M (One Hunred Million) from Col. Sambo Dasuki Rtd, former NSA, and we hereby wish to state as follows :
“That the SDP was approached by the PDP through its BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih for electoral alliance for the re-election of the former president Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“That Chief Olu Falae being the National Chairman of SDP summoned the National Executive Committee (NEC) of SDP to a well attended meeting to consider the PDP’s proposal of Electoral Alliance for the ‘re election bid of former President Jonathan since SDP did not field a presidential candidate of its own
“That the SDP NEC meeting debated the electoral alliance proposal thoroughly and finally gave overwhelming approval for the electoral alliance with PDP.
“That the NEC further empowered Chief Olu Falae to communicate the readiness of SDP to work with the PDP for the victory of former President Jonathan.
“In addition certain cardinal objective principles must be agreed upon such as zero tolerance for corruption and acceptance of the Confab report among others
“Upon this agreement the PDP through Chief Tony Anenih contributed #100M (One Million Naira Only) to the SDP/PDP electoral alliance project through Chief Olu Falae . The SDP spent well above #100M for the execution of the project throughout the Election period.
“That the SDP nor Chief Olu Falae was aware of Col. Dauki’s Arms deal money through Chief Anenih, the SDP as well as many Nigerians were aware that the PDP had a fund raising event prior to the Election where Billions of Naira was donated.
“The SDP is also conscious of the fact that the PDP had ruled Nigeria for 16 years and it is expected that they are capable of funding their part of the electoral alliance.
“We hereby affirm that neither the SDP nor Chief Olu Falae have anything to do with the $2.1billion Arms deal debacle,” he said.
