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The Goodluck/Sambo
Presidential Campaign Organisation yesterday debunked claims by the
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) that the forthcoming
general elections will be highly monetised because of funds it raised
last week to prosecute President Goodluck Jonathan’s election.

Spokesman of the
organisation, Sully Abu, said in a statement in Abuja, that the
fundraising dinner was organised with the entire campaign of the
president in view, and not only for the primary election.

“The Goodluck/Sambo
Campaign Organisation wishes to state in very clear terms that the
position of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties(CNPP) that the
2011 general election will be highly monetised because of its unfounded
claim that Corporate Nigeria donated N500 million for President
Goodluck Jonathan’s primary election is patently mischievous.

“Our fundraising
dinner of Friday, October 29, 2010 was done with the entire
presidential campaign in view, and not solely for the prosecution of
the battle for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) presidential ticket at
the primary election,” the organisation said.

Mr. Abu explained
that some prominent Nigerians such as Oba Otudeko, Aliko Dangote,
Abdulsamad Rabiu, Jimoh Ibrahim, and Femi Otedola, who the CNPP tagged
as “the motley crowd of Corporate Nigeria,” came to the fundraising
dinner in their individual capacity and made some donations.

He accused the CNPP
of deliberately misrepresenting the fact when it claimed that these
individuals raised N500 million; whereas, other persons, including a
number of governors, made donations at the event.

He added that the fact that those Nigerians came was indicative of the appeal of the Goodluck/Sambo ticket.

Mr. Abu added that
rather than bandying claims as well as figures that cannot be
substantiated and making innuendoes that tend to disparage innocent
entities, the CNPP should organise its fundraising dinner where it
could get similar support.

He noted that as a campaign organisation, “we are confident with our
programme to transform our country. The Goodluck/Sambo ticket is the
most attractive option for Nigerians.”