N21bn raised at PDP dinner ‘not all for Jonathan’s campaign’

The N21 billion generated at a special funding-raising dinner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December 2014 is not for financing President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign for reelection, the party has said.

Jerry Gana, who headed the fundraising committee, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday.

Dismissing reports that the money was for the president’s campaign, Gana explained that some PDP projects had remained uncompleted owing to lack of funds.

He stated that N10 billion out of the funds generated would be invested in the party’s 12-storeyed national secretariat, which is still in the works.

He added that what was left of the money would be channelled into other projects of the party.

Gana, who is a former minister of information, said the import of the briefing was to clear the air on the controversy surrounding the reported N21 billion for Jonathan’s campaign.

“We asked you to come so that we will lay to rest matters of funds raised; the funds are not for PDP presidential campaign; they are for PDP projects,” he said.

“The money is for the party’s projects; of course campaign is one of our projects, but even if part of it would be used for campaign, it will not be for a particular candidate; it will not be for presidential campaign,’’
He expressed optimism that his party would achieve victory in the elections, saying it would embark on a vigorous campaign in all parts of the country.