In an interview with The Punch, Prince Haliru Mahmud, the ex-Kwara State youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), talked about his ongoing disagreement with the state PDP leadership, particularly Senator Bukola Saraki.
Mahmud asserted that he was unjustly ousted from the party for opposing corruption within its ranks.
When asked about campaign finances directed to the party, notably those linked to Senator Bukola Saraki in Kwara State, he accused them of silencing him.
He said if a person is acknowledged as the leader of his party, then would be held responsible for whatever goes wrong in the party.
The leader also takes glory for any success.
Acccording to him,
“As far as Senator Bukola Saraki is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, the onus lies on him to explain to us how much he received for the elections, and how he disbursed it. The onus also lies on him to tell us that he was not the one who received the money.”
Mahmud claimed that if, for example, he served as the state youth leader of the party, and the youths were informed that funds were allocated to his office for distribution to them, it wouldn’t be improper for them to inquire.
He emphasized that even if it were just hearsay, he would be willing to clarify matters if questioned by the youths.
Further talking, he said,
“When you are accused of committing a crime and you are taken to court, the court will give you a fair hearing to defend yourself, but when the judge throws a question at you and you do not answer, it means you have admitted guilt.
I do not know why it is difficult for the leader of the party to explain how election funds were managed.”