Salihu Lukman, vice-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the north-west, says Abdullahi Adamu, national chairman, should account for the billions of naira that accrued to the party from the sales of forms.
In the build-up to the party’s presidential primary election, at least 20 hopefuls purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms worth N100 million.
The party also raked in money from the sales of national assembly, governorship, and the house of assembly forms.
In an article on Monday titled “APC and Questions of Progressive Credentials”, Lukman said all decisions on the finances of the party were taken by Adamu and Iyiola Omisore, national secretary.
The vice-chairman said members of the national working committee (NWC) have been reduced to “rubber stamps”.
“Critical functions of the NEC, which include approving the national budget of the party as provided in Article 13.3A(xiv) of the Party’s Constitution is simply ignored,” he said.
“Further, Article 13.3A(xv) of the party’s constitution directed the NWC to give quarterly financial reports to NEC. Also, Article 13.4(ii) directs the NWC to present reports and Article 13.4(iv) compels the NWC to present financial reports on the income and expenditure of the party.
“All these have been ignored. Yet, it is public knowledge that the party has earned billions of naira in revenue from sales of forms to aspiring contestants for the 2023 general elections.
“We are yet to, as NWC, declare to any organ of the party how much we inherited from His Excellency Mai Mala-led caretaker committee and how much was received as donations and contributions for the 2023 elections.
“Large-scale expenditures, which include the renovation of the National Secretariat complex are being undertaken without any organ of the party exercising the powers of due diligence.
“As a member of the NWC, I can say without fear of contradiction, all decisions bordering on managing the finances of the party are being taken by the national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, and the national secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore.
“Once the party’s constitution is no longer the guide for managing the affairs of the party, discretionary decisions of leaders take over. Consequently, even what gets paid to party officials and organs becomes acts of benevolence by the national chairman or anyone he delegates.”
