PDP Cannot Dictate to Buhari How to Fight Corruption – APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) says it is aware of the “intensified orchestrated attacks by the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their agents on the hugely successful
war against corruption being waged by the President Muhammadu Buhari
administration”.
According to the APC National Secretary,
Mala Buni, the party is also “aware of the plot by the PDP and their
agents to stampede and blackmail anti-corruption agencies over ongoing
corruption cases being investigated”.
In three press statements issued on
Friday, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Ekiti state
governor, Ayodele Fayose, alleged plans by the APC and President
Buhari’s administration to silence the opposition through a selective
anti-corruption fight.
Also, the acting National Chairman of
the PDP, Uche Secondus on Friday accused the APC of attempting to turn
the country into a one-party state.
“The APC urges anti-corruption agencies
not to be distracted by these syndicated and coordinated attacks and
continue to employ all legal and legitimate avenues to bring to book all
looters of our common wealth,” Mr. Buni said.
“It is clear that the PDP is out of sync
and out of step with the generality of Nigerians on the clamour to
bring to book all looters of public funds. The days of impunity are
over. The PDP and treasury thieves must pay for the recklessness and
shocking mis-management of public funds perpetuated under the defunct
16-year PDP rule. It is however reassuring that in spite of desperate
and shameless attempts by the PDP and it’s agents to discredit President
Buhari’s anti-corruption efforts, the war against corruption is being
won.
“The PDP camp in baseless allegations
accuses the president of a selective anti-corruption fight while members
of the APC ‘with serious corruption allegations go about their
businesses’. The PDP camp in continuation of its laughable conspiracy
theories also speaks of ‘a calculated attempt to decimate and silence
the opposition’ through the anti-corruption fight and an attempt to turn
the country to a one-party state.
“The position of the APC has not
changed. For the umpteenth time, if the PDP has any proof of corruption
against any APC member as alleged, we advise that they approach any of
the anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases.
The ongoing war against corruption is not selective. Anybody guilty of
corrupt practices must face the law. The political will and sincerity of
purpose of the present administration to tackle corruption from the
roots to the upper echelons no matter whose ox is gored is unwavering.
“We advise individuals being
investigated on corruption charges to cooperate with investigators
instead of declaring innocence on newspaper pages and other media
outlets.
“Again we state that the PDP and their
agents do not have the luxury of dictating how the present
administration and anti-corruption agencies carries out its legitimate
duty of catching looters of public funds, as long as it conforms with
the rule of law.
“On the allegation by the acting PDP
National Chairman, Uche Secondus that the APC is attempting to foist a
one-party system on the country, such idle chat does not deserve a
response.