TheCable

Yekini Nabena, deputy spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is trying to discredit the federal government’s efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement on Tuesday, Nabena said one of the ways through which the PDP is allegedly carrying out its mission is levelling allegations of fraud against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

There are reports of a multi-billion naira fraud in commission over purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) but the APC deputy spokesman dismissed the allegation.

He said instead of making relying on unsubstantiated allegations, the opposition party should focus on “nation building.”

“I advise the PDP to focus on nation building and support efforts to ease the inconveniences, pains and losses brought by coronavirus on Nigerians,” the deputy spokesman said.

“There is no fraud in the commission. The PDP’s baseless allegation is deliberate and similar to its other actions to discredit government’s and other COVID-19 interventions in the country.

“It is clear that the PDP’s action is sponsored by those attempting to frustrate the ongoing forensic audit in the NDDC ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari. The NDDC is actively supporting government efforts to combat the coronavirus.

“Recently, the commission secured presidential approval for its COVID-19 support to supply medical kits and build isolation centres in the nine Niger Delta states.

“The commission has disbursed N775 million to assist Niger Delta states fight the coronavirus, along with N270 million as palliatives to youths, women and peoples living with disabilities affected by the lockdown.”

He asked the PDP critics to bury their heads in shame “for their corrupt and shameful antecedents in the NDDC.”