The few days political and media free-for-all lambasting which characterized the revelation that $3.5 million was allegedly given out by the Nigerian River State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, through former President Jerry John Rawlings for sponsorship of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign in the 2008 elections has taken a new dimension with another Governor in that country exposing another giant financial scandal.
Aside the Nigeria-based online media outlet-Pointblanknews.com story on the $3.5 million, the website has once again revealed that former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State was also said to have extended 'some millions to the NDC.'
According to Pointblanknews.com, a Nigeria intelligence source has since confirmed this disclosure and that the interest of the Nigerian politicians in NDC's politics in Ghana is not known but close associates of the two politicians opine that it may not be unconnected with several business interests they have in Ghana.
Ghanaian media, the site said, determined to ensure that authenticity of the first report had repeatedly called Pointblanknews.com for more details. According to the Nigerian website, unknown to the Ghanaian journalists, Governor Amaechi is not the only one who funded the NDC's Presidential elections, disclosing that former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State was also said to have extended 'some millions to NDC.'
However, Mr Kofi Adams, an Aide to former President Rawlings, has flatly denied media reports that claim that Nigeria's River State Governor Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi sunk US$3.5 million into the NDC's 2008 electoral campaign.
But Mr Johnson Ude, Publisher of the Nigeria-based online media outlet “ Pointblanknews.com, has insisted that the story is true. He reiterated on Accra-based CITI FM that Governor Rotimi issued cheques through one of his aides to the ruling party in Ghana, as a contribution to the election of President John Atta Mills. He insisted that the alleged amount of $3.5million was transferred through former President Rawlings to the NDC.
The Nigerian Publisher alleged that there are video and picture evidence to prove that former President Rawlings and Governor Amaechi Rotimi are indeed very close friends. The publisher of pointblanknews.com challenged all who wish to verify the authenticity of his story to do so from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria.
Mr. Ude has also dared the party's Founder, Mr Rawlings, to proceed to court if he has evidence contrary to what has been published on the website.
But some political pundits of the ruling NDC have started accusing certain members of the opposition parties of using the issue as a political propaganda tool aimed at discrediting the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills. According to the laws of Ghana, political parties are not allowed to seek sponsorship or funds from non Ghanaians or foreign institutions.
| Source: GO |
1 comment:
Looking at the nature of the allegation and the threat to our democracy if it is indeed true, the ruling NDC must constitute a non-partisan body to investigate and establish whether or not monies were paid to the NDC to influence the outcome of our elections. It must be done in the interest and security of the nation. These allegations would not go away unless they are given the attention they deserve. Mills must show that he is a man of integrity. He should put party affiliation aside and do the right thing for nation.
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