Buhari challenges Jonathan to publish audit report of missing $20bn

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate retired General Muhammadu Buhari has challenged President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government to submit the KPMG forensic audit report on the missing $20billion in NNPC to the National Assembly as well as publishing same in newspapers for Nigerians to assess.

Buhari wondered “why should the President and the PDP develop the feet of clay like an immovable Colossus when the representatives of the people in the National Assembly asked for copies of the forensic audit report, which public outcry forced the government to procure in the first place?”

In a statement by his campaign media and publicity director, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari questioned the audacity of the President, PDP and NNPC in disobeying the NASS request to scrutinise the KPMG audit of an alleged grossly corrupt government agency (NNPC).

“So many respected experts on the national economy have condemned the wanton waste of the country’s hard currency earnings at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Worse still, those in charge have treated Nigerians with impunity by hiding the facts relating to petro-dollar trade from the taxpayers. Some of them have been gallivanting and globe-trotting around the world in luxury while their compatriots languish in poverty and squalor,” Shehu said.

“Is the NNPC a sacred cow? And should the President be an umpire in a game to which he’s a contender, or a judge in his own case?” he said.

“Is the President and his Petroleum minister telling Nigerians that no wrong has been done in terms of stealing of public funds? If corruption was established in any form, is anyone listed for punishment? It is pertinent to put all these information in the public domain for third party verification. The KPMG report funded by taxpayer’s money is itself a public property. And until this is done, the NNPC under Jonathan shall remain in public consciousness the abattoir for corruption, immodesty, dishonesty and impunity,” the opposition presidential candidate said.