Atiku’s aide asks anti-graft agencies to probe Buhari

Phrank Shaibu, an aide of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and Junaid Abdullahi, his son-in-law, of using funds from “fake contracts” to run the president’s reelection campaign.

In a statement, Shaibu alleged that the federal government had been using the Border Communities Development Agency (BDCA) headed by Abdullahi to award contracts to “hundreds of phony lawmakers’ constituency projects”.

The BDCA has the mandate to provide social and infrastructural amenities to international border communities in 21 states of the federation.

He said “815 contractors were recently shortlisted by the BDCA for hundreds of constituency projects ranging from N10 million to N200 million worth of contracts”, despite failing to meet federal contracting requirements.

Shaibu said the BDCA procurement officials have “continuously disregarded” some key criteria for selection of prospective contractors, thereby, violating of the public procurement act (PPA) 2007.

“Arcad Projects Limited (Lot 110) prequalified to bid for the N200 million contract for the rehabilitation of selected rural roads in Ekiti/Irepodun/Idi/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency was not qualified. The company’s bid was accompanied with its PENCOM certificate only without the requisite tax clearance document,” the statement read.

“SMV Nigeria Limited and Young Stallion Group Nigeria Limited (Lot 83) submitted bids for the N150 million contract for the construction of a mini-stadium at Kashere in Gombe Central Senatorial District, but both were shortlisted despite not meeting the requirements on tax clearance certificates.

“Aicon Residential Limited (Lot 84) also submitted a bid for the N150 million contract for the rehabilitation/maintenance of water infrastructure in Yobe East Senatorial District without submitting its tax clearance certificate.

“ABG Synergy Limited was prequalified for the N50 million contract to supply tricycles, popularly called ‘Keke NAPEP’ in Monguno/Marte/Nganzi Federal Constituency of Borno State, despite not attaching any of the two vital documents to its bid.

“Budmusdru Hill Nigeria Limited and Khamz Intercontinental Limited (Lot 386) shortlisted for a N100 million contract to train youth and community leaders in Niger North Senatorial District also did not meet the requirements.

“BDCA procurement officials disregarded some key criteria for selection of prospective contractors, as well as some requirements for the award of contracts, in a potential violation of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007.”

Shaibu said Buhari’s anti-corruption war is further undermined if officials at the BDCA are allowed to go ahead with the flawed contracting process in defiance of the country’s extant procurement regulations.

He, therefore, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to thoroughly investigate “the act of corruption and economic sabotage, for its corrosive effects on the economy”.

When contacted, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said the campaign of Buhari was in the best position to react.

Festus Keyamo, spokesman of the president’s campaign, was not available as of the time this report was filed.