The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday asked Nigerians, who see merit in the war against corruption by the Buhari government not to be distracted by the PDP and their agents of corruption, who are bent on blackmailing the anti-graft crusade.
The party asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be free to approach any of the anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle corruption cases with proof of corruption against any APC member or serving minister under the Buhari government rather than making unsubstantiated allegations.
In a statement issued by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the APC condemned the unprovoked insults and unguarded statements by PDP on President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of the APC.
Oyegun said: “The APC is worried by PDP’s inciting statements. Respect for the office of the President or heads of government in any clime is not a matter of choice, but a civic obligation sanctioned by laws. Being an opposition party or critic is no licence to issue abusive, intemperate and slanderous statements on government officials; most especially the President of the country.
“The PDP has proven that it is not a party to be trusted or taken seriously. Only recently, the PDP said in a December 24, 2015 statement: ‘we urge that Nigerians should not recourse to hauling insults on the President’.
“For the umpteenth time, the APC urges Nigerians, who see merit in the war that the President Buhari-led administration is waging against corruption, not to be distracted by the PDP and their agents of corruption to discredit the war. For the records, the ongoing war against corruption is not selective. Anybody guilty of corrupt practices will face the law.
“If the PDP has any proof of corruption against any APC member or minister as alleged, we advise that they approach any of the anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases.
“PDP’s rant suggesting a selective anti-corruption fight by the present administration should be seen as a plot meant to distract the citizenry from the successful ongoing war against graft.
“The PDP does not have the luxury of dictating how the present administration carries out its legitimate duty of catching looters, as long as it conforms to the rule of law.”
