PDP Challenges Presidency, APC to Debate on Good Governance

• Tasks police on Fani -Kayode’s invitation

By Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday challenged President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to a national debate on good governance, saying the government has ‘’irredeemably failed’’ in every sector of the national life.

The main opposition party has also challenged the Nigeria Police to come out clear on the ‘fact-finding’ invitation extended to a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani- Kayode, to appear on Tuesday for alleged conspiracy, criminal defamation and inciting publication.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, noted that available data – both locally and internationally, have confirmed that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had failed woefully in all its promises and claims, particularly on the fight against corruption, the need to improve the economy, security, democracy as well as national unity and cohesion.

The party also noted that Buhari’s claim over fight against corruption had been exposed to be a big lie, describing it as a charade designed to hound perceived political opponents, while providing cover for alleged humongous corruption and pillaging of resources by agents of the presidency.
“Instead of fighting corruption, this administration is practically a felonious empire of corrupt individuals, certificate forgers, contract infiltrators, looters of treasuries and well-known liars, making it head to toe, the biggest assemblage of plunderers in the history of our country.

“We ask, if, the president is indeed a man of integrity as his handlers want the world to believe, why is he comfortable employing, embracing, su-rrounding himself with and offering protection to corrupt persons, certificate forgers and liars as ministers, advisers and political associates?
‘’Are there things the president benefits or has in common with such individuals that attract them to him or for which they enjoy his cover to steal public funds in parastatals, agencies and ministries, particularly those under the direct supervision of the President?’’PDP queried.

The party further alleged that under President Buhari, Nigeria has become dangerously divided, and violent clashes and bloodletting have become the order of the day.
“Rights of citizens are daily violated; democratic institutions, including the courts and the National Assembly have come under attack; elections are rigged with impunity; the unity of our beloved country is now under stress.

“Moreover, the Buhari’s administration cannot boast of any major development project it has initiated, executed and completed in the last three years, in any part of the country.’’
‘’If anything, the president has been going around the country shopping for projects executed by other persons, including PDP governors, to inaugurate,’’ the party said.
The PDP said it was ready to commence a series to expose the lies and failures of this administration as well as the huge liability, woes and dangers it has brought on the country.
The party challenged both the presidency and the APC to an open debate on governance, where it promised to further expose the failures of the APC and Buhari presidency to Nigerians.

In a related development, the main opposition party has also challenged the Nigeria Police to come out clear on the ‘fact-finding’ invitation extended to a former Aviation Minister, Femi, Fani Kayode, to appear on Tuesday for alleged conspiracy, criminal defamation and inciting publication.
Ologbondiyan said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, that the letter inviting Fani-Kayode did not state in specific terms, the alleged issues or conduct bordering on “conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to cause breach of peace”, for which he has been invited.

The PDP stated that while it is not against any lawful step by the police in carrying out its duties, the police must ensure that it is not being used by the APC in its desperate quest to muzzle free speech and subjugate Nigerians, particularly the opposition, ahead of the 2019 general election.

Ologbodiyan noted that reports already available in credible media, have it that Fani-Kayode’s invitation ‘may not be unconnected’ with an interview he granted the Africa Independent Television (AIT) where he reportedly controverted claims by the Presidency and the APC that it was Senate President Bukola Saraki that masterminded the widely condemned invasion of the National Assembly.

“We hope that the invitation is not a set up and part of the design to emasculate citizens, which is now being unleashed on media houses, journalists and other citizens for alleged comments and publications considered to be against the interest of the ruling party.

“Moreover, the recent detention of the Premium Times reporter, the arraignment of Senator Isah Misau for allegedly making injurious statement against the IG of Police, the invitation of Mr. Kassim Afegbua, the spokesman of former military President Ibrahim Babangida for issuing a statement considered critical to this administration and the recent demolition of the studio of Fresh FM in Ibadan, Oyo State capital for allegedly airing materials considered against the interest of the APC in the state, readily come to mind,” PDP explained.