Press Statement
“Media Chat Exposed Buhari’s Undemocratic Character”
…He Should Apologize for Labeling Nigerians ‘Difficult Lot ’ - PDP
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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