The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure speedy prosecution of his political appointees as well as some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused of corruption.
The party said in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan that the president’s recent claim of abuse of trust by persons in his government vindicates the party’s stand that the Buhari administration is replete with treasury looters enjoying the cover of government.
The party said unless the President matches his assertion with corresponding action against officials of his government, as well as leaders of the APC who are accused of for corruption, his declaration will still end up as one of the glib promises made by the APC and Buhari Presidency since 2015.
“The PDP notes that Mr. President’s acceptance that there was an abuse of trust by persons in his government had vindicated its position that the Buhari administration is replete with treasury looters, who had been enjoying the cover of government.
“The party, however, asserts that unless the President matches his assertion with the corresponding action against officials of his government as well as leaders of the All Progressives Congress who are indicted for corruption, his declaration will still end up as one of the glib promises made by the APC and Buhari Presidency since 2015.
“It is a public knowledge that the APC administration had provided cover for loads of corrupt individuals in its fold as none of the government officials and APC leaders, who have been openly indicted for corruption, abuse of office and treasury looting, have been held culpable and prosecuted.
“Instead, what the nation is witnessing is the constant harassment, intimidation, hounding and persecution of opposition leaders and other Nigerians with dissenting views,” said Ologbondiyan.
The PDP further tasked President Buhari to note that individuals found wanting in the unbridled looting of billions of naira from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), North East Development Commission (NEDC) among other agencies, have been allowed to walk away with just a pat on the wrist.
“Currently, the delay in prosecuting the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, as well as indicted officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) in fraud allegations, in which very top officials of the Buhari administration have been mentioned, does not convey any sense of commitment by the administration to fight against corruption.
“Our party stressed that this new assurances by Mr. President is in line with the practice of the PDP, in whose administration anti-corruption structures were not only established but corrupt officials were investigated, prosecuted, and those found guilty were punished in line with the provisions of the law.
“It is, however, strange that the Buhari administration is setting up special investigation panels to investigate officials of government accused of malfeasance bordering on corruption, rather than allowing statutory anti-corruption agencies and the courts to carry out their responsibilities in that regard,” it said.
