President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said “only God will punish the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “ over what he described as “looting the country dry for the 16 years it was in power.”

The President stated this when he met with both local and international support groups, under the aegis of “Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation “at the State House, Abuja.

Buhari who vowed to persecute corrupt public office holders, declared that their property will be confiscated and sold and the money put into the treasury for public use.

The group which claimed to represent Nigerians resident in different countries, said it is made up of about 1,000 support group.

The president while unveiling his agenda, claimed that the 16 years of the PDP was characterized by Large scale abuse of trust, adding that “only God can give them punishment but those we can touch, we will get them prosecuted. We have said properties confiscated should be sold and the money put into treasury and we will use,”

The president reiterated for the umpteenth time that in assumption of office, he approached the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who told him there was no money in federal coffers.

The President stated that there was no infrastructure or any developmental achievements recorded under the PDP to as justification the draining of substantial crude oil earnings.

“I have said this for the umpteenth time and I have challenged them to proof me wrong but in those 16 years of PDP rule, Nigeria was getting 2.1 million times 100 (2.1 million barrels by $100 per barrel) everyday, every week, but when we came on board, the price fell to between $37-38 and hung around $40-$50.

“I went to the Central Bank of Nigeria, and asked him for money and he said there is no money.”

According to him, the last time roads rehabilitation took place was under General Sani Abacha, when he served as Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund, adding that the roads where rehabilitated up to the east.

Speaking on his integrity, Buhari said “If I didn’t stick to my principle of accountability I would have been in trouble by now and I have no regrets. Everybody wants to be comfortable but the most important thing is to live within your means and bear the consequence.”

He explained why he visited Neigbouring countries shortly after he was sworn in saying, “If you don’t establish good relations with your neigbours you will spend more on security.”

The leader of the delegation, Mahmud Mohammed, said the groups supported him because of his integrity and commitment. He said for the first time in the history of campaigns, they were campaigning with meager funds generated from well wishers because the president specifically directed that no money from the public funds should be spent on his campaign.

He said “From tomorrow we will not sleep. We still start house to house, shop to shop and market to market campaign to ensure your victory.”

•Sourced from a Businessday report

Update news