The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP),
has instructed President Muhammadu Buhari to commence implementation of his
campaign promises for which he was voted into office. Stating that no amount of
“intimidation, blackmail and propaganda” by the Presidency would stop it
from the demand.
The PDP National Publicity
Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement on Monday that the party would not
in any way be submissive by threats and wild allegations by the Presidency into
renouncing its responsibility of speaking out as an opposition party where the
system is derailing.
The PDP and indeed all well-meaning
Nigerians were appalled by the response from the Presidency regarding our call
for prayers to enable President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration locate
its bearing, compose a government and halt the prevailing stagnation with its
huge negative impact on the system.
“Instead of addressing the issues
raised, the Presidency descended to insults, abuses and innuendos, a stance
which not only bears out the case made by the PDP but also raises questions
about the capacity of this administration to shoulder the enormous
responsibility of governance.
“While we expect the present
administration to be serious about the fight against corruption, probe and
prosecute each and everyone involved in such, irrespective of their party
leaning, we restate that these must be done within the ambits of the law and
must not be used as a witch-hunt ostensibly to discredit and undermine the
opposition. We therefore caution against the current drama of politicizing the
issue of corruption in the country.
Furthermore, the analogy of the
Augean stable, is completely baffling to us at this level as it goes to a great
length to question the capacity and the sincerity of those around the
president.
“In Greek mythology, Hercules in his
ingenuity took the task and efficiently cleared the Augean’ stable in a day for
which he demanded a reward of a tenth of fine cattle belonging to the king.
“Nigerians would not want to believe that in
the so-called clearing of the Augean stable, although not delivering in one
day, President Buhari wants to play Hercules in his demand, this time, by
wanting to run the government alone without the statutory components of the
executive as enshrined in the constitution.
“We ask, is the so-called clearing
of mess responsible for his inability after 90 days of winning an election to
make up his mind on rudimentary appointments such as Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff and his demand for 15 Special
Advisers as approved by the PDP controlled Seventh Assembly since June 5, 2015?
“Perhaps we need to draw President
Buhari’s attention to the fact that while he is busy clearing his imaginary
mess on the pages of newspapers, some persons claiming closeness to him have in
the last 30 days been piling up sleazes that also need his attention in key
agencies of government.
“Despite the absence of approving
and supervising officials, key income generating institutions like NNPC,
NIMASA, NPA, FIRS and other strategic agencies have been invaded by persons
claiming to be friends and associates of the President and this puts to
question the sincerity and seriousness of the administration to affect the
so-called change upon which they rode to power.
“Auxiliary to this is the issue of
the construction of a helipad, amongst various expenses and other major
government expenditure going on across board in the last one month and without
due supervision as the eyes of the President cannot be everywhere.
“We declare unequivocally that we do have
respect for the person and office of the President especially considering his
age and status as an elder statesman. However, we will like to make it very
clear that the President of the Federal Republic Nigeria is neither a Sherriff
in the Old Wild West nor a military dictator in some banana republic. He is an
elected president under a democratic setting.”
PDP had on
Sunday said that Mr. Buhari’s first 30 days in office saw Nigeria only in
motion without movement.
Source: Naij
Post a Comment