The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and his son-in-law, Mr. Junaid Abdullahi of allegedly engaging in corruption, economic sabotage and unethical conduct by using funds from fake contract awards to fund the president’s re-election campaign to the tune of about N18bn.

In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled federal government has allegedly been using the Border Communities Development Agency (BDCA) headed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s son-in-law, Mr. Abdullahi for hundreds of phony lawmakers’ constituency projects, using non-existent firms to fund Buhari’s electioneering campaign.

The statement was a reaction to a report published by Premium Times, detailing massive fraud in the border agency.

The Border Communities Development Agency (BDCA) has the mandate to provide social and infrastructural amenities to international border communities in 21 states of the federation, spanning over 105 local government areas.

Atiku said no fewer than 815 contractors were recently shortlisted by the BDCA for hundreds of constituency projects ranging from N10millionto 200million worth of contracts despite failing to meet federal contracting requirements.

He said in apparent move to amass funds for
Buhari’s re-election bid, the BDCA procurement officials have continuously disregarded some key criteria for selection of prospective contractors, as well as some requirements for the award of contracts, in a potential violation of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007.

Atiku said, “Arcad Projects Limited (Lot 110) prequalified to bid for the N200 million contract for the rehabilitation of selected rural roads in Ekiti/Irepodun/Idi/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency was not qualified. The company’s bid was accompanied with its PENCOM certificate only without the requisite tax clearance document.

“SMV Nigeria Limited and Young Stallion Group Nigeria Limited (Lot 83) submitted bids for the N150 million contract for the construction of a mini-stadium at Kashere in Gombe Central Senatorial District, but both were shortlisted despite not meeting the requirements on tax clearance certificates.

“Aicon Residential Limited (Lot 84) also submitted a bid for the N150 million contract for the rehabilitation/maintenance of water infrastructure in Yobe East Senatorial District without submitting its tax clearance certificate.

“ABG Synergy Limited was prequalified for the N50 million contract to supply tricycles, popularly called “Keke NAPEP” in Monguno/Marte/Nganzi Federal Constituency of Borno State despite not attaching any of the two vital documents to its bid.

“Budmusdru Hill Nigeria Limited and Khamz Intercontinental Limited (Lot 386) shortlisted for a N100 million contract to train youth and community leaders in Niger North Senatorial District also did not meet the requirements.

“De Poor Shall Rich Nigeria Limited and Dankole Global Services (Lot 281) were shortlisted to bid for the N60 million contract to supply motorcycles in Edo Central Senatorial District without their tax clearance certificates.

“Yalele Farms Limited (Lot 315) was shortlisted for the N60 million Strategic Empowerment and Training of Women and Youth in Zaki Federal Constituency with absolutely no requisite documentation,” the statement said.

Atiku insisted that section 23 (1) of the PPA (2007) does not allow federal agencies or their management to manipulate procurement guidelines to favour any party during a contracting process.