By  Tony Edike

ENUGU—CONFERENCE of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has, asked Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Adamu Aliero, to immediately resign and stay away from public office pending the determination of the corruption charges against him.

The group faulted the Federal Government’s choice of Aliero to hold such a sensitive office and preside over massive road contracts, when he was yet to answer to allegations bordering on over N10 billion fraud during his tenure as Governor of Kebbi State.

Some citizens of the state, Alhaji Sani Dododo, Alhaji Abubakar Kane, Alhaji Mungadi had in December 2006, February 2007 and August 2007 petitioned anti-graft agencies to probe Aliero and have since proceeded to court to seek the mandate of the nation’s anti-graft agencies, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and ICPC to investigate and prosecute the FCT Minister.

CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu in a statement said, Aliero’s continued stay in office “is another confirmation that the rule of law and due process mantra of President Yar’Adua are nothing but shameless deception of Nigerians.”

“Where is the rule of law and due process in appointing a man who has not fully freed himself of the possibility of going to jail? This government is simply rewarding corruption contrary to what Nigerians are made to believe that it is fighting graft,” Ezugwu stated.

He faulted EFCC and ICPC for allowing the president to appoint the former Governor as a Minister without raising any question regarding the pending graft case against him.

“The anti-graft agencies even insulted Nigerians one step further by going to court to defend the Minister, claiming that the court has no jurisdiction in the matter. Thank God for the appellant’s counsel who was quick to remind the anti-fraud bodies that they brought former FCT Minister, Nasiru El-Rufai before the sameFederal High Court Abuja  over the allegation of N32 billion fraud,” he added.