The leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the probe of former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, over alleged corrupt practices.
The order, the party said, would prove the sincerity of the president and the Federal Government in the fight against corruption in the country.
The party gave the challenge following a suit by an Edo state based anti-corruption crusader, Bishop (Dr) Osadolor Ochei, to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe Oshiomhole over alleged corrupt practices.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP accused the Presidency of shielding Oshiomhole from being probed.
The statement reads in part: “PDP condemns the official shielding of Oshiomhole, whom President Buhari had anointed as his preferred National Chairman of the dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC), in spite of the public knowledge of the corruption allegations against him.
“We challenge the Presidency to come out clear on its involvement in the efforts to protect former Governor Oshiomhole as well as other APC members from prosecution over corruption allegations.
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“Oshiomhole must be made to provide answers to allegations that he built a sprawling mansion worth more than N10 billion in his hometown as well as allegedly constructing another expensive building said to worth over N500 million along Okoro-otun Avenue in Benin City.
“He should answer to allegations by Bishop Ochei that he approved a highly inflated contract and payment, without due process, of N1.88 billion for the construction of hostel rooms at the Edo State University, Iyamho; that he allegedly approved an inflated N1.22 billion contract for the building of the Teaching Hospital in the same institution as well as an alleged diversion of N1.2 billion approved for the construction of a new accident and emergency ward complex and renovation of existing structures in the Central Hospital, Benin City.”
The party also insisted that Oshiomhole must be made to provide answers on the handling of the N25 billion he allegedly borrowed from the Capital Market through issuance of bonds.
It also said he should be made to answer questions on the alleged inflation of contract sums for various road projects in the state as well as allegations that he acquired properties in United States, South Africa and Dubai worth billions of U.S. dollars.
