APC lauds SA's probe into smuggling "cover-up"

news24

Abuja - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the alleged attempt by the Federal Government to cover up the reported smuggling of US$9,3 million on a private plane to South Africa.

In a statement issued in Lagos, The opposition's National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said the cover-up attempt manifested at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, when Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, refused to entertain a debate on a motion seeking a probe of the issue.

APC said the refusal became more suspicious amid allegations that some members of the House had each received $50 000 bribe to quash the motion.

APC however hailed its members in the House of Representatives for staging a walk-out to protest against the debate.

Also read: $9.3m scandal: APC lawmakers walk out of sitting

The party said while the Senate has already launched a probe into the issue, Nigerians would have preferred that the probe be done openly.

It however expressed the hope that the Senate will do a thorough job to unravel the circumstances surrounding the issue.

''It is shocking that those who were elected by the people will fail to act in the interest of the people," APC stated.

"But then we in the APC are not really surprised at this development, going by the antecedents of the Jonathan administration and his party, the PDP. Thank goodness, everyday the PDP and the government it has sired at the centre are showing why they should not be voted back into office,'' it said.

The party insisted that the Jonathan Administration and all concerned must come clean on the circumstances surrounding the ferrying of the huge funds to South Africa.

"... including why a government that has spent millions of naira to promote a cashless policy decided to transport 90 blocks of $100 000 each to another country in violation of that country's laws."

APC welcomed the manner in which South Africa handled the investigations.

''Fortunately for Nigerians, South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has said the issue is still under criminal investigation, meaning all attempts to sweep the scandal under the carpet, as the Jonathan administration is used to doing, will fail."