As the probe into the alleged mismanagement of $2.1 billion funds meant for arms procurement continues, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae has admitted collecting N100 million from former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih.
A leading news medium in Nigeria had reported that the ex-BOT chairman disclosed that he gave N100 million to a former SGF from the South West, out of the N260 million given to him (Anenih) from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Falae, who is also National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, has however explained how the money was used to campaign for the re-election of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said: “In the build up to the presidential election, the PDP approached the SDP which I chaired.
“The then ruling party solicited for our support in order for President Goodluck Jonathan to win the March 28 presidential election.
“Anenih related with me as the chairman of the PDP BoT and I did same as the SDP National Chairman.
“He wrote to me as PDP BoT chairman and I wrote back as SDP National Chairman stating conditions/terms for the alliance.
“It is true that N100 million was given to my party to endorse and work for the Jonathan’s candidature in the 2015 election.
“We used the money for that purpose and we effectively campaigned for the PDP since we did not have presidential candidate in the election. The money was not for me.
“Thank God I’m a retired civil servant. I have all the documents to prove all that transpired between the two parties.”
The former Finance Minister stated that there was no way he could know that the money was from arms fund.
“With all the money PDP has and having spent 16 years in power, how would I know that the money was from the arms deal? No reference was made to the arms deal. So, they should not bring me into the arms issue.”