December 31, 2015.
Press Statement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says
President Muhammadu Buhari’s responses at the Wednesday Presidential
Media Chat were not only embarrassing but also further exposed his
undemocratic character as an unrepentant tyrant who has no regard for
the rule of law and the self-worth of Nigerian citizens.
The party, in a statement by its
National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Thursday also said
the President confirmed his partisanship in the much-vaunted war against
corruption by openly absolving his ministers and party members of
corrupt practices.
“Whilst we restate our respect for the
person and office of the President, we note that President Buhari bared
his true colours to the world as an unrepentant tyrant. Today, the world
is no longer in doubt as to who is behind the prevailing recklessness,
abuse of rights of citizens and outright flouting of judicial
pronouncements by security agencies.
“A situation where the President openly
pronounced persons facing trial guilty and sanctioned their continued
incarceration despite being granted bail by the courts, presents a
dangerous fascist practice obtainable only in totalitarian societies
like Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany, Idi Amin’s Uganda and General
Than Shwe’s Burma.
“This extremely shocking dictatorial
tendency being brazenly exhibited by the President in total disdain for
our laws and judicial institutions portends great danger for our
democracy and constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the people, and
should be resisted by the citizens before it festers.
“The scorn for the principle of
separation of powers, especially the independence of the legislature, is
further manifested in the declared craving to regulate the funding and
running of the National Assembly, a matter constitutionally vested
outside the jurisdiction of the executive. We are most uncomfortable
about his attempt at trying to whip up public sentiments against an
independent arm of government, especially the one vested with the
constitutional power of appropriation.
“Following from the foregoing,
therefore, it may be necessary to suspend the application of our
Constitution and allow the President to operate as maximum ruler for
four years after which the nation can return to a democracy.
“On the issue of the Chibok girls,
President Buhari’s embarrassing declaration of seeking information on
the whereabouts and state of the girls betrays an obvious insincerity
which is in total conflict with his campaign promises in that regard.
Thus by this declaration, our dear President has accepted failure on
this issue and should therefore apologise to Nigerians for all the
insults, abuse and aspersions cast on the past administration by himself
and the leadership of his political party.
“On the issue of devaluation of the
naira, there is an obvious conflict between the budget speech wherein
the president stated that the government is assessing the foreign
exchange rate with a view to attracting foreign investments and his
categorical pronouncement during the media chat that the naira would not
be devalued. We invite Nigerians to note that the president obviously
does not understand the currency that applies in the devaluation of the
naira (laugh out loud).
“Furthermore, Nigerians were shocked by
the President’s labeling Nigerians as ‘very difficult lot’ while
responding to questions on the strategy to be adopted in implementing
his promised N5,000 social welfare package.
“This unhealthy portrayal of the
citizens by the very father of the nation, who has remained unrelenting
in de-marketing his country through unguarded statements, is indeed a
great disservice to Nigeria and its international image. Consequently,
we reject this negative labeling of our citizens and reiterate our
confidence in them, especially the millions who remain honest,
hardworking and credible.
“Finally, Nigerians must take copious
note of the fact that the President gave no inspiring answers to
questions pertaining to his campaign promises, the fight against
insurgency and rescue of the Chibok girls, the poor state of the naira,
sudden plunging of the economy under his watch, and the gradual loss of
democratic rights and freedom.”
Signed:
Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary
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