PDP knocks presidency, APC on illegal military equipment

Seeks Probe Of Gov Bello’s Alleged Involvement

The people Democratic Party (PDP) has said the linking of illegal importation of military equipment to All Progressives
Congress (APC) interests, particularly in Kogi State, is disturbing.

The opposition party said Nigerians have been wondering how weapons and other military equipment get into the hands of marauders that have been ravaging the nation, and called for the matter to be investigated.

The PDP expressed fear that the development could be part of an alleged plot by the APC to compromise the nation’s security system and set the stage for the intimidation of Nigerians during the 2019 general
elections. It, therefore, asked the presidency to speak up on the matter.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola 
Ologbondiyan, the party also tasked the presidency and military high command to explain how APC governor, Yayaha Bello, allegedly secured permission to import
military equipment, which is exclusively under the purview of the presidency and the military.

“We hold that this is a very critical matter, and as a pro-people party
committed to the well being of Nigerians, we urge the presidency and the
military to quickly offer explanations to Nigerians on who issued the
end user certificate for the importation of the said military equipment into our country.”

The party also called for a forensic investigation into the matter, stressing that Nigerians “need to know where the military gadgets were sourced from and who purchased them?”
The opposition party further demanded an open investigation into the alleged involvement of Governor Yahaya Bello and his aides on the matter, adding: “What is their interest in the illegal cargo? Do Kogi officials run a militia or are
they involved in an illegal trafficking for a wider political interest in the APC? How long have they been in this illegal business and what is the volume of deals so far?”