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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