Saturday, October 31, 2015

PDP Accuses Buhari, APC Of Manipulating Courts, INEC


The Peoples Democratic Party said on Friday that the gains of its 16-year rule in Nigeria were being eroded by the governing All Progressives Congress. The party said under the APC, basic democratic tenets have failed to function while the party perpetuates “actions tilting towards dictatorship”.

The PDP made the allegation in a communiqué made available at the end of its meeting of national caucus which held at the Ondo state governors lodge in Asokoro district of Abuja on Thursday.

The communiqué was signed by the national secretary of the party, Wale Oladipo, “…there is serious cause for concern in the nation’s political environment, especially as it concerns the survival of the nation’s democracy,” PDP said.

PREMIUM TIMES report continues:
PDP also accused the APC government of insensitivity to critical issues raised by the opposition party.

They said President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is interfering with the activities of the judiciary, legislature and the Independent National Electoral Commission using the Directorate of States Services.

The PDP said it had resolved to vigorously resist the APC’s interference.

“The party finds it offensive and provocative, the judiciary’s handling of cases involving it in election tribunals in some states, particularly, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau and Lagos states.

“The tainted judgments of these tribunals, which are evidently products of arm-twisting from the nation’s security operatives under the direct command of an APC member remains unacceptable to us,” it said.

The PDP also said it had “conclusive evidence” of external influence on the Rivers State governorship election tribunal.

The party wondered how the tribunal was able to deliver its judgment within 24 hours, “in a case that had nearly 100 witnesses, 1000 pieces of documentary evidences and nine counsel’s final written addresses; each not less than 40 pages”.

“The decision, in view of the rather interesting history of the case, indicates that the judiciary, like the PDP and the Nigerian electorate are victims of the APC-led Federal Government,” PDP said.

The party said it hoped the judiciary, as an institution, would restore its image by taking immediate measures to protect itself from political interference as well as ensure that needed steps are taken at the appellate levels to remedy the “embarrassing” ruling by some of the election petitions tribunals.

“The party has also noted clandestine moves by the APC to use various agencies of government, to manipulate the processes and rig the outcome of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states in their favour and vowed to deploy every means within the law to resist such,” it said.

The PDP called on President Buhari, “as the leader of the country, to stand up for justice and equity and halt the undemocratic attitudes of agents of government in the interest of peace and stability”.

PDP commends its Senators

The party also commended PDP senators for their decision to walk out of the Senate chamber shortly before the former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, was confirmed as a minister.

The party said the decision of the senators was commendable because it was a “collective stand against impunity and corruption, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people”.

The PDP said the decision by APC senators to confirm Mr. Amaechi served as “a death knell on their party’s pretentious war against corruption”.
“The PDP further notes that whilst former APC governors are being rewarded with ministerial appointments, their PDP counterparts are being hounded and harassed in the selective war against corruption,” it said.

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