APC, PDP trade words over alleged N6b convention expenses

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday faulted the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its claim that it (APC) is planning to spend N6 billion to conduct its national convention billed to hold in June this year.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the APC wondered how the PDP arrived at such figure since Governor Abubakar Badaru-led convention committee is yet to present its budget to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The party, however, said that the expenses for both the national convention and the presidential convention had been duly captured in its 2018 budget.

It noted: “The issue of N6 billion convention expenses is neither here nor there. While we assure Nigerians that the APC has not adopted the PDP’s practice of dipping their hands into the public till to fund its political activities as brazenly displayed during the 2015 elections.

We equally call on the PDP to emulate the APC’s best practice of financial probity and openness by making public their audited reports and financial statements if they have.”

The PDP had accused the Presidency of forcing APC governors to use public funds to finance the national convention of their party.