The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the President Muhammadu
Buhari-led Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are
desperate to remain in power at all costs, so as to continue to
exploit Nigerians, protect APC corrupt leaders, cover their
incompetence and conceal the humongous sleazes in their administration.
A statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan said “This is the reason the
APC and the cabal at the incompetent Buhari Presidency resorted to
violence, intimidation as well as manipulations and alteration of
results at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig
the February 23, Presidential election.
“This also explains why APC agents and certain Presidential aides have
been making desperate efforts to distract the Presidential Election
Petitions Tribunal and derail the course of justice by making and
promoting baseless judicial interpretations and externalizing the
proceedings of the court.
“President Buhari-led APC administration wants to remain in power to
prevent investigation into the N14 trillion allegedly stolen under its
watch; including the N9 trillion stolen from the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo; the over N1.4 trillion
alleged oil subsidy sleaze and the N1.1 trillion worth of crude
diverted using 18 unregistered companies linked to APC interests.
“This is in addition to the N33billion National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) fund, and the over N18 billion stolen out of the N48
billion approved by the National Assembly in the 2017 budget for the
rehabilitation of IDPs in the Northeast, among others.
“Furthermore, the Buhari-led APC administration is desperate to avoid
an investigation into its unwholesome borrowings that led to the
escalation of our nation’s debt stock from N12.12 trillion in 2015 to
an overburdening N24.39 trillion in 2018.
“Within a space of three years, this administration has borrowed a
total of N12.27 trillion, yet it cannot point to any significant
development project into which the money was invested. This includes
the N2.66 trillion borrowed in 2018, ahead of the 2019 general
elections.
“These and many more are funds meant for infrastructural development
and welfare of Nigerians but have been cornered by APC leaders.
“That the Buhari Presidency lacks the competence and integrity to run
a creative, transparent and credible administration that can guarantee
economic growth, wealth creation, and a dependable system has become a
globally accepted fact.
“The negative effect is the further dipping of our economy, an
investor’s confidence, which shored up at the expressed resolve by
Nigerians to elect Atiku Abubakar as their next President, slumped
with the rigging of the Presidential election.
“The PDP, however, urges Nigerians not to despair but continue to be
steadfast in the aspiration for the recovery of the stolen
Presidential mandate at the tribunal, as this is the only way to
return our nation to the path of peace, national unity, and a vibrant
economy.”