An anti-graft group, Kick Corruption Out of Nigeria, has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over his endorsement of Pastor Ize-Iyamu as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Edo State governorship election coming up on September 19.
In the petition issued some few hours after the endorsement, the group said Buhari’s action could be translated to mean approval of corruption.
The group, in the petition signed by its spokesman, Lawrence Chukwu, said Buhari must have given the endorsement probably because he had not been briefed about the ongoing case of alleged corruption against Ize-Iyamu.
The endorsement, the group said, was “a tragedy and an indication that once you are on the side of powers that be, you can continue to steal the country blind.”
The group also faulted the presence of the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, during the endorsement.
It said based on alleged corrupt practices against Ganduje as shown in a viral video stuffing dollars in his pockets, the endorsement amounted to celebrating corruption.
In the petition, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was accused of using his influence on the Federal High Court to frustrate the case against Ize-Iyamu, and planning to use security and electoral officers to carry out malpractices during the coming election.
Accompanying the petition were some documents including charge sheet, witness statement, banker’s statement, bail application, cash officer’s statement and bank MD’s statement.
Iyamu is standing trial over alleged case of fraud to the tune of N700 million.
The case against him is by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Other defendants in the case are former state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Dan Orbih; the state chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi, former deputy governor of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen, and Efe Erimuoghae-Anthony.
The trial will continue on October 15.
It would be recalled that Buhari presented APC’s flag to Ize-Iyamu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
Ize-Iyamu was led to the Presidential Villa by the chairman of APC caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni.
Also present were the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu.
