Executive Order 21: Rivers APC tackles PDP over N95m campaign fee

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

The Rivers chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP lied over its claims that it paid N95 million caution fee to use facilities owned by the state government for its campaign activities for the 2023 election.

The PDP, had in a statement on Thursday said it paid the money to Rivers State Government in compliance with Executive Order 21 of Governor Nyesom Wike which mandated political parties to pay N5 million each for any public facility they want to use for their rallies.

But Sogbeye C Eli, a lawyer, and the spokesperson for APC 2023 Campaign Council described the claim by the PDP as false.

He added that in making the claim, the PDP was just trying to justify the Executive Order 21, which he described as draconian.

He pointed out that the PDP failed to attach any single evidence of the bank transaction e.g. name of Bank; Account number receiving the deposit; date of such transaction, etc. to the statement it released to make the claim.

“There can never be a perfect crime anywhere. Every crime leaves a trail for investigators!

“Here’s the factional Rivers PDP seeking to justify their draconian Executive Order 21 with “evidence” of compliance in the payment of N95m for the use of public school facilities to stage their campaigns.”

He added that the evidence of payment presented by PDP is “Just a love letter concocted to hoodwink and deceive the public on leading by example or being bound by its own controversial regulations”.

APC, while still picking holes in said letter acknowledging payment by PDP, pointed out that “in this presumptuous acknowledgment of compliance by Wike’s faction of the PDP, Chinedu Mmom, the Commissioner for Education; a Professor of Geography and Environmental Management and Justice of the Peace, is reminding his party to note “that you are to ensure that the facilities remain in good condition after your use, as you shall be held liable for any damage(s) arising thereof (sic).”

APC therefore asked: “How else do you hold a party liable for damage(s) when you claim you are already in receipt of the cautionary deposit which your incoherent Government had goofed by saying is not to be refunded?”

“The semantic blunders embedded in the letter and non-disclosure of evidence of the alleged financial transaction point only at one direction. No such payment was made!”, Sogbeye Eli.

PDP had said the sum of N95 million it paid for the use of public facilities in the State for its open door campaign was in compliance with the precautionary requirement of N5 million per venue stipulated by Executive Order 21.

Chairman of the Publicity and Communications Committee of the Consolidation of the New Rivers Vision Campaign Council, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke who disclosed this in a statement added that the party has received an official approval from the office of the Commissioner for Education, Professor Prince Chinedum Mbom entitling it to use facilities owned by the State.

Part of the letter released by the PDP in Rivers reads:

“I hereby acknowledge receipt of your deposit of the total sum of Ninety-five million naira (N95, 000,000. 00) only into the State Government account, being the required precautionary deposit for the use of your indicated public schools’ facilities in Rivers State.

‘Sir, Sequel to your compliance with the directive as contained in our letter dated 6th December, 2022, I hereby convey to you, my approval of your request for the use of State-owned schools’ facilities as indicated in the annexure to your application.”

The PDP noted that with its compliance with Executive Order 21, it is now ready to commence open air campaigns across Rivers State.

“Prior to this time, we have publicly indicated as a responsible political party that the PDP shall comply with the dictates of Executive Order 21.

“Now, that we have received appropriate authorization, following full compliance with the order, we are prepared to commence open air campaigns in Rivers State.

“Similarly, we are attaching a photocopy of the letter of approval to show proof that the PDP is not above the law. While thanking Rivers people for their undying support for our great party, we assure them that our candidates will fulfill promises made to the electorate.”

Also speaking on the approval, Prof. Chinedum Mbom, stated that so far only PDP among all the political parties in state had sought approval, paid the necessary non-refundable fees and got approval to use public schools for campaigns.

He explained that PDP made the application on December 3,2022, made the necessary payments and got the approval.

“When you apply, you have to state the purpose and the areas you want to use and make the necessary payments and if we are satisfied, we give approval,” Prof. Mbom said.