PDP defends N21bn Donation; says Nobody was forced to Donate
The Peoples Democratic Party has defended the donation of N21.27bn to President Jonathan’s re-election campaign by some governors and individuals, after criticism for not attending to payment of some civil servants salaries.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, said in an interview on Monday, that the donation was legal and that the governors collectively contributed N1.05bn.
He insisted that the party did not break any law in raising the funds, while adding that those criticising the party were free to do so, because “comments are free” and that those speaking against the donation were ignorant of the law.
He said: “Comments are free. But Nigerians should know that elections and campaigns are money-spinning; they cost money. But let me add that as long as the fund-raising we did was and is still within the armpit of the law, then we have not breached any law.
“What we did was legitimate. We didn’t force anyone to donate at all. You may wish to know that some employees came together to donate. Those bellyaching are busybodies, but let them know that what we did is within the law and the Constitution is not against it.”
