The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that people close to
President Mohammadu Buhari are currently stealing from some agencies of
Government in the absence of supervisory authorities.
President Buhari is yet to appoint Ministers and Special Advisers more
than 30 days after his inauguration as President.
The Opposition party in a Press Statement signed by its Spokesman, Mr.
Olisah Metuh named the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,
Nigeria Maritime and Security Agency, NIMASA, Nigeria Port Authority, NPA
and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS
He said while the party stand by its earlier assertion that the Government
of Buhari has failed in the last 30 days, PDP cannot be cowed by what he
termed, threats and wild allegations by the Presidency into abdicating its
responsibility of speaking out as an opposition party where the system was
derailing.
“While we expect the present administration to be serious about the fight
against corruption, probe and persecute 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.
“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 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 persecute 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.”
