The
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that no amount of “intimidation,
blackmail and propaganda” by the Presidency would stop it from demanding that
President Muhammadu Buhari kick-starts government and commence implementation
of his campaign promises for which he was voted into office.
PDP had
on Sunday said that Mr. Buhari’s first 30 days in office saw Nigeria only in
motion without movement.
Mr.
Buhari promptly replied the PDP saying he is taking his time to clean the rot
left by the party.
The
PDP, however, said the Presidency’s excuse of clearing the “so-called Augean
Stable” is lame and diversionary noting that it stands by its statement that
the delay is creating loopholes through which some persons claiming closeness
to the President have infiltrated executive bodies, arm-twisting and conniving
with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to syphon the nation’s resources
in the last 30 days.
The PDP
National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Monday said the
party would not in any way be cowed by threats and wild allegations by the
Presidency into abdicating 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.”
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