By Chinenye Festus:-
In response to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement Of the APC’s governorship Candidate pastor Ize-iyamu is a dent on the government’s war against corruption, a war which the PDP says has become a failure.
The PDP had in an earlier statement noted that prior to endorsing Osagie Ize-Iyamu, President Buhari ought to have been aware that the APC candidate is standing trial for corruption.
The Presidential spokesperson Mr. Garba Shehu in a communique on Sunday said the party has forgotten its own history and ANTECEDENTS.
He asked the PDP to first withdraw the governorship nominations it gave to Ahmadu Fintiri and Bala Mohammed of Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively before it opens its mouth and talks on the efforts of the present administration in fighting corruption.
He said PDP should first withdraw the governorship nominations it gave to Ahmadu Fintiri and Bala Mohammed of Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively before it opens its mouth and talks on the efforts of the present administration in fighting corruption.
Garba said that the PDP which has been struggling to clear its name from alleged deals with the underworld in Dubai and the United States has, to its surprise, found the voice to attack the anti-corruption war of the Muhammadu Buhari administration following the President’s endorsement of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is laughable because they are in no position to talk about corruption.
Mr. Shehu asked the PDP to either withdraw the governorship nomination aforementioned or else, it should “shut its mouth” forever and leave the Buhari-led administration to do what the opposition party dares not attempt.
“Bala, while in office as minister, allegedly received N550 million as bribe from Aso Savings and Loans Limited with respect to some properties in the Asokoro area of Abuja. He said both PDP governors were actually on bail from criminal trial on several counts of fraud and embezzlement.
“He is said to have corruptly abused his position as Board Chairman of Aso Savings by allocating four numbers fully detached duplexes and 11 numbers semi-detached duplexes valued at N314 million through the Presidential Taskforce on Sale of Government Houses, to himself.
“The former minister is also accused of making false declaration of his assets.”
The presidential spokesman finally reminded the PDP that under the country‘s laws, only the courts can convict, adding that “A suspect remains a suspect until conviction.
But, if in the view of the PDP, a suspect is guilty as charged, then they must show examples by withdrawing the nomination of their governors and the party’s numerous Senators and other legislators standing trial in various courts of the country.