The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenges President Muhammadu Buhari
to lead by example by ending the profligacy that pervades his Presidency
in order to give validity to his directives to ministers and other
functionaries.
In the same vein, the PDP tasks the Buhari Presidency to explain the
basis and source of Presidential support for the Office of the First
Lady, including the appointment of aides, contrary to his promise not to
run that office
According to a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, “The PDP holds
that Mr. President remains responsible and answerable for his
presidential assurances and Nigerians expect an explanation on the
violation of such sensitive undertaking.
“While the PDP is still monitoring the implementation of directive to
government functionaries on cost cut, the party tasks President Buhari
to take the first step by immediately fulfilling his promise to reduce
the Presidential fleet, as well as cut his over bloated entourages and
curtail the opulent lifestyle in the Presidency, which is daily flaunted
before suffering and impoverished Nigerians.
“The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency has proven
to be extremely expensive and a major draining pipe for valuable
resources, while millions of compatriots, who look up to government for
solutions, wallow in hunger and acute poverty.
“The profligacy that permeates the Buhari Presidency had further
manifested in the public fight between the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and
President Buhari’s nephews over issues of opulent accommodation in our
presidential villa.
“The party further urges Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency
has failed to make the details of its budget public, despite demands by
our party and other well-meaning groups in Nigeria.
“The failure to make the details of the Presidency budget public places
a huge burden on the Buhari Presidency, particularly in the face of
allegations of budgetary corruption and financial sleazes.
“Unless the Presidency budget is made public for Nigerians to see, any
directive on cost cut remains cosmetic.”