Boycott Buhari’s Budget Presentation, CUPP Asks Lawmakers

The Coalition of United Political Parties has called on members of the National Assembly, especially those from opposition parties, to boycott President Muhammadu Buhari’s budget presentation of the 2019 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday.

In a statement by its national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, the coalition said the step was necessary to show resentment to the Buhari administration, which it accused of impunity, non-implementation of past budgets, abuse of state institutions and refusal to sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, among others.

The statement read, “The opposition coalition holds the view that sitting down and listening to a man who has led several assaults on the institutions of our nation’s constitutional governance is tacit support to his many sins against our nation.

“This is a man who has refused to implement previous budgets passed since 2015 till date; a man who has committed gross misconduct and obstruction of justice by refusing to obey judgments of courts, including ECOWAS Court; a man who disrespects and treats like tissue paper resolutions of parliament.

“This is a man who promised to fix the economy but turned Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world; a man who commands security forces that have no respect for the lives of the citizens; a man who has failed to fight corruption squarely and fairly but rather protects the biggest looters of our nation’s treasury under his watch.

“He does not deserve the company of pure democrats found in the midst of the opposition because such attendance will be abiding and supporting the reign of impunity of Mr. President, who deserves an impeachment notice for his many acts of gross misconduct, incompetence and obstruction of justice and not attendance at his budget speech.”

Ugochinyere said the call for a boycott of the session was hinged on the President’s refusal to substantially implement previous budgets from 2015 to 2018, “which led to rise in poverty;” and “his refusal to sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill that will guarantee free and fair elections.”