PDP Accuses Buhari Of Running A Vindictive n Divisive Government

PDP alleged that a new form of corruption is thriving under the President Buhari administration in spite of his anti-corruption crusade.

The party specifically asked the president to tell Nigerians what he plans to do with the $2.1billion World Bank loan and counter claims over the disbursement of the recent bailout fund with the governors saying they have not received any bailout from the Federal Government.

This came as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) described the PDP’s statements as hollow adding that the PDP is incapable of providing virile opposition to the ruling party.

Indeed, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said yesterday that contrary to insinuations in many quarters, no state has got a kobo from the Federal Government as bailout fund.

He spoke at a reception for the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, in Sabongida Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, weekend. According to the governor, the cheering news, however, is that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to seeing an end to the situation where up to 15 states owe workers’ salaries.

The national leadership of the PDP criticized President Buhari over statements attributed to him that Nigerians who gave him 97 per cent of their votes will be better treated than those who gave him five per cent.

President Buhari reportedly made the comment in a session with foreign journalists in Washington DC during his visit to the United States of America.

The PDP said the statement was not only vindictive and divisive, but also an attempt by the president to govern the country in a discriminatory manner.

Addressing Journalists yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said the statement was biased and partisan, adding that it has become imperative for the president to explain if this would form the basis of government appointments and jettisoning of merit and the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution.

Metu, who described the recent visit of the President to the United States as embarrassing, stressed that the absence of an economic team for healthy and informed discussion at the meeting with officials of the US government was a serious blunder.

The PDP also lampooned the government over comments by the Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hussein, warning former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan that if he sees her again at the Protocol Lounge of the Port Harcourt Airport, she would be dealt with.

Urging the presidency to call the officer to order, the party said: “The recent organised public humiliation of the immediate past First lady and wife of the former President, Dame Patience Jonathan at the Port Harcourt Airport where she was refused access to the protocol lounge based on ‘order from Abuja’ is a particular case in point.

“We stress this case because when the immediate past President was in power, all former presidents and their slouches had unhindered access to the protocol lounge,”adding, “while we note that this development has been widely condemned by Nigerians, we ask if the former President erred in conceding defeat. Is the Federal Government by any means encouraging a sit-tight attitude by government officials?”