The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the allegations surrounding his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa’s involvement in funding his campaign.
Okowa, the former Delta State governor, was on Monday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged misuse of funds estimated at N1.3 trillion from Delta’s 13 percent derivation allocation between 2015 and 2023.
Okowa was reportedly detained in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he reported at the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC on the invitation of investigators handling his matter.
The former governor was alleged to have failed to account for the funds and another N40 billion he allegedly claimed to have used to acquire shares in the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.
READ ALSO: EFCC detains former Delta Governor Okowa over diversion of state funds
Following the arrest, there were speculations that the funds were allegedly diverted to the PDP presidential campaign in 2023.
Reacting on Saturday, Atiku’s special adviser on broadcast media, Abdul Rasheeth, stated that Okowa was not responsible for funding Atiku’s extensive campaign in any way.
“Atiku has always independently funded his campaigns and does not rely on his running mates for financial support,” Rasheeth said.
His update on social media platform, X, reads:
“In 2007, Atiku Abubakar chose Ben Obi as his running mate, not for political position but for his merit. Again, in 2019, Atiku selected Peter Obi, despite him not being a sitting governor, driven by Obi’s qualifications rather than his title. In 2023, Atiku’s choice fell on Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. Contrary to malicious claims, Okowa was not responsible for funding Atiku’s extensive campaign in any way.
“Atiku has always independently funded his campaigns and does not rely on his running mates for financial support. Any attempt to besmirch Atiku’s reputation through these falsehoods is a baseless insult, driven by those with ulterior motives against Okowa.”
Credible News.ng
