Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to recall the former Chief of Army Staff and incumbent Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, said Buratai should be probed over his alleged connection with the N1.8bn recovered in an Abuja property by the anti-graft agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The party’s demand for Buratai’s probe, the statement said, was predicated on the earlier assertion by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno, after the former COAS’ exit that the $1bn drawn from the national coffers under the APC administration for the purchase of arms to fight terrorism could not be traced.
PDP said the assertion by the NSA heightened suspicion on allegations of crass looting of money meant to equip the Armed Forces, adding, “Such corruption under the APC administration has led to the upsurge in unhindered terrorism attacks, mass killing of citizens and loss of many of our gallant fighters in the front in the last seven years.”
PDP also noted that reports of massive looting by APC leaders and their cronies in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies further confirmed the ruling party’s administration “as a haven for treasury looters.”
“Moreover, the recently exposed looting of N80bn by the suspended Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, which investigation has now gone cold is suspected to have been engineered by the cabal at very high level of the APC administration.”
“The PDP, standing with Nigerians, insists that Gen. Buratai should return to the country and personally face investigation to clear his name.
“This is because any allegation bordering on looting of funds meant for the fight against terrorism is of grave national concern and consequence. It must be thoroughly investigated and anybody found wanting must be made to face the full weight of the law no matter how highly placed.”
