…..Urges Buhari To Stop Herdsmen Killings
THE Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has claimed the authorship of the much talked about restructuring in Nigeria which was expressed in the Report of the 2014 National Conference, adding that the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a later day convert of restructuring is merely paying lip service to a matter of national importance.
The party while saying it has already mandated its members in the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of initiating a Bill to address issues bothering on restructuring, condemned in strong terms what it called the massive corruption going on in the management of fuel subsidy regime which the Federal Government had declared non existent while billions of Naira are deducted monthly at Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings.
The party urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps in stopping the carnage of herdsmen killings in the country.
The party in a communique jointly signed by its National Chairman, Uche Secondus and the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Ayo Fayose, and read by the party chairman shortly after the close door meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP and its Governor’s Forum in Asaba on Sunday night at the Delta state government house, which lasted till about 3:00am on Monday, frowned at what it termed abuse of courts’ decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“We strongly condemn the unabated killings across the country. We call on Mr. President to come out clean on the herdsmen killings and address the nation on how to end the carnage. The President must take responsibility on the protection of lives and property of Nigerians which is the most important of his responsibilities. We believe that the Federal Government’s decision to set up a Committee to address the issues of herdsmen killings is a pretentious approach to a matter that requires firm action and leadership by the President in line with his oath of office to protect all Nigerians irrespective of creed, tribe and political affiliation.
“The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been the author of restructuring and this was further expressed in the Report of the 2014 National Conference. The All Progressive Congress (APC) as a later day convert of restructuring is merely paying lip service to a matter of national importance. However, we have mandated our members in the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of initiating a Bill to address issues bothering on restructuring.
“We urge Mr. President to henceforth direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to adhere to the Rule of Law by obeying Court judgements and orders such as the one involving the Ekiti State Government against EFCC and restrain itself from further political intimidation and harassment of known or perceived political opponents. We commend the judiciary for their commitment to the enthronement of constitutional democracy in the face of intimidation and harassment.
“We condemn in strong terms the massive corruption going on in the management of fuel subsidy regime which the Federal Government had declared non existent while billions of Naira are deducted monthly at Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings.
“The PDP states and local governments are vehemently opposed to the unilateral withdrawal of USD 1 Billion from the Excess Crude Account by the Federal Government under any guise. We want to state unequivocally that neither the Governors’ Forum nor the Federal Executive Council has the power of appropriation of Federation Accounts, as such powers reside with the National and State Assemblies.
“We commend members of our party for their unalloyed support. We reiterate that our repositioned party is prepared for the 2019 elections and will ensure that all Nigerians aspiring to elective offices are free to contest on the platform of the PDP. We want to assure that no established organ of the party is allowed to align with any presidential aspirant. We thank the people and government of Delta State for playing host to this all important meeting.” the communiqué said.
The close door meeting was attended by the PDP eleven governors, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Henry Dickson of Bayelsa, Benedict Ayade of Cross River, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe, and Darius Ishaku of Taraba as well as the party’s NWC led by its national chairman, Uche Secondus.
