TheCable

Lai Mohammed, spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has threatened to sue Olisa Metuh, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, for allegedly libelling him.

Metuh had alleged that Mohammed diverted funds meant for the fencing of an airport in a state in the southwest of the country.

In a statement on Sunday, the PDP spokesman said: “Whilst we note the failed efforts of the APC spokesman to divert attention, we invite the presidency and the APC to be informed that their attempt to harass and/or intimidate us with plethora of well-instigated, sponsored, immature and wild allegations can never deter us from remaining focused on issues.

“Nevertheless, as we restate our commitment in providing issue-based opposition as well as our support for the fight against corruption, our final word for the APC spokesman on this, is that being ethically challenged, includes embezzling funds meant for fencing of an airport in an APC-led south west state. It also includes fraudulently refusing to supply ambulances after collecting monies from another APC southwest state.

“It is then a comedy of roles when Alhaji Lai Mohammed speaks on corruption, a topic he practices and has well learnt, being a personal aide to one of the most corrupt politicians to ever bestride the political landscape of the country.”

Reacting to the statement, Mohammed said: ”The PDP is wondering why we are not responding to the wild accusations emanating from their fertile imagination. It is because we consider the accusations nothing but an irritant.

“Mr Metuh wrote that ‘this administration must come to terms with the fact that democracy requires accountability, adherence to the rule of law and constitutional order’. Very interesting, because if the PDP had known all that, it would still have remained in power at the centre.

“It is therefore clear that the PDP spokesman has been so traumatised by the defeat of his party that he sometimes imagines he is writing about the APC when indeed he is listing the failings of his fallen party, the PDP.”

He challenged Metuh “to substantiate the claim in his Sunday statement about contracts allegedly awarded to the APC national spokesman or be ready to do so in court”.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, the APC spokesman has never been involved in any airport fencing contract in Osun or any deal involving fraudulent purchase or supply of ambulances anywhere in Nigeria,” Mohammed said.

“Mr Metuh’s assault on the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption battle is a futile attempt at saving his own neck and that of his party. Unfortunately, it is too late in the day for them, going by the quantum of allegations against them.”