ACN Accuses PDP Of Running Electioneering Campaign With Kickback

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the PDP of engaging in corruption, economic sabotage and unethical conduct by using kickback funds creamed off the proceeds of a rice waver to fund its campaign for the 2011 general elections to the tune of billions of naira.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara state, on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the PDP-controlled federal government granted a duty concession on the importation of 500,000 metric tons of rice (10 million bags) to an unscrupulous firm, and then received as kickback 9.6 billion naira, representing two-thirds of the clearing charges, which the party has been using to fund its electioneering campaign.

In addition, it said, the waiver – which can only be granted by the President – resulted in the loss to the Federation Account of 14.5 billion naira in duty, surcharge, CISS, ECOWAS fee, rice levy and clearing charges, while also causing a distortion in the economy by putting the rice market in disarray.

While challenging the PDP to deny these claims, ACN called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to thoroughly investigate this act of corruption and economic sabotage, for its corrosive effects on the economy as well as the 2011 general elections.

Explaining the details of the duty concession, the party said after the federal government gave duty concession to some unknown oil companies, to import 500,000 metric tons of rice, the companies then hawked the concession to an unscrupulous rice importer (name withheld), with a gratification payment of two-third of the import duty payable, which was then given to the PDP for electioneering campaign at the detriment of the Nigeria nation and other rice importers who have paid correct duty on their own importation as stipulated by law.

”Genuine importers of rice are now unable to sell their rice with a landing cost of 7,000 naira per bag at the present price of 6,000 naira per bag – the price at which the importer that received the waiver from the FG is selling. Consequently, these genuine importers who employ thousands of people have been forced to lay off their workers as they face huge bank loans.

”Furthermore, the public is being denied the opportunity of buying high quality rice because of the price differential between the rice imported under the duty concession, which is of inferior quality, and the various brands of high quality rice brought in by genuine importers.

”This deal (duty concession), which we warned against in a statement last year, has exposed the unpatriotic attitude of the PDP and its bigwigs, their win-at-all cost mentality and their disposition to corrupt practices and other acts that are detrimental to the economy of the country,” ACN said.