The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate caucus yesterday announced its
withdrawal of cooperation with the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led
Federal Government.
The caucus said the resolution would subsist until the government “ceases the belligerent attitude towards PDP members.”
A communiqué read by Senate Deputy
Minority Leader Emmanuel Bwacha, endorsed by Senate Minority Leader
Godswill Akpabio, Minority Whip, Philip Aduda and Deputy Minority Whip,
Mrs Biodun Olujimi, said the resolution was adopted at a meeting of the
caucus on Tuesday.
The opposition lawmakers said they
examined their position “on the unwarranted threats to the legislative
arm of government, particularly to the Senate leadership by the
executive arm, as well as the on-going intimidation/persecution of the
opposition party (PDP) by the ruling party (APC).
It decided to: “Condemn
in totality the orchestrated plot to remove the President of the Senate
and his Deputy, through an illegal means.
“The deployment of state instrument of
coercion to intimidate an independent arm of government like the
legislature, is now a major threat to the survival of our democracy.
“The glaring witch hunt of perceived opposition elements in the polity is invitation to anarchy.
“The war against corruption should not
be selective, must be fought with sincerity and not with the politics
that is being played now with ‘war against corruption’.
“We therefore condemn in strong terms
the sentiments displayed in fighting corruption. e.g. freezing of
account of the Ekiti State Governor, is clearly a political witch hunt.
“Since the war against corruption has devolved into probing campaign funds, it should be extended to all parties, APC inclusive.
“The PDP Senate Caucus therefore wishes
to warn the Executive arm of government to act with caution on matters
that have the potency to subvert our democracy.
“The Executive must therefore desist from these acts of lawlessness that are only typical in a military dictatorship.
“The caucus therefore wishes to advise
the APC led government to concentrate on the existing economic and
security challenges that are threatening our survival as a nation.
“Finally, the PDP Caucus wishes to
reiterate that we will no longer support the APC government until they
cease the belligerent attitude towards PDP members.”
The APC criticised the decision in a
statement by its National Secretary Mallam Mai Mai Buni. It wondered why
the PDP caucus would quarrel with the “administration’s hugely
successful war against corruption.”
The statement said: “The PDP Caucus must
be reminded of their primary responsibility of lawmaking and
representation of their constituents at the National Assembly. The APC
advises the PDP Senate Caucus not to allow political shenanigans to
becloud overall national interest.
“The PDP Caucus allegations of a
selective anti-corruption fight and “belligerent” stance of the current
administration is hogwash and baseless. If the PDP and its agents have
proof of corruption against anybody, the APC advises that they approach
anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases
instead of declaring innocence on newspaper pages and other media
outlets.
“For the umpteenth time, the PDP and
their agents do not have the luxury of dictating how the current
administration and anti-corruption agencies carries out its legitimate
duty of investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption, as long as it
conforms to the rule of law.
“The APC urges anti-corruption agencies
not to be stampeded and blackmailed by this new plot and continue to
employ all legitimate avenues in investigating and prosecuting ongoing
corruption cases. The generality of Nigerians clamour for all looters of
public funds to be brought to book. The APC assures Nigerians that the
political will and sincerity of purpose of the current administration to
tackle corruption remains resolute. “
Credit: Nation
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