PDP Urges National Assembly to Investigate Alleged One Billion Naira Memo Linked to President Tinubu’s Presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the National Assembly to launch an inquiry into President Bola Tinubu’s presidency following a leaked memo revealing the approval of N500 million as the first installment of a N1 billion fund for the inauguration of a 37-man Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage.

The leaked memo purportedly originated from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

In response, the PDP condemned the alleged approval of such a substantial amount for a routine government activity like committee inauguration, labeling it as “the height of profligacy, imprudence, and financial recklessness.”

The party further asserted that this alleged action validates its position that the Tinubu-led government is tainted with corruption, characterized by brazen and reckless treasury looting.

The opposition party’s demand was articulated in a statement signed by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday.

The statement read: “It is highly provocative and unpardonable that at a time when the nation is grappling with acute food shortage, millions of Nigerians are suffering from starvation due to inadequate investment in food production, insecurity, and harsh economic policies of the government, President Tinubu is allegedly spending N1 billion to inaugurate a committee.

“It is even more revealing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation allegedly requested an audacious sum of N1.8 billion for the event, which was later scaled down to N1 billion, out of which President Tinubu reportedly directed the SGF to ‘start with N500 million first.'”

“This further demonstrates that the APC administration is insensitive and has no regard for the plight of Nigerians, whom President Tinubu, during his 2024 budget presentation at the National Assembly, described as ‘ordinary people out there.’

“Nigerians can now also see how our national treasury and funds meant for their well-being are being looted with reckless abandon by officials of the Tinubu-led APC administration.

“This is apparently a tip of the iceberg of how looters in the APC administration are cashing out with public funds under the cover of the Presidency, as witnessed in the reported plundering of over N44 billion in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“The PDP calls out the Tinubu Presidency to speak out, come clean, and address the nation on this very weighty allegation, especially at this time when Nigerians are undergoing excruciating economic hardship.

“Our Party demands that the National Assembly, pursuant to its powers under Section 88 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), immediately commence an investigation into this matter, which is already agitating the minds of Nigerians across the country.”