The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for asking the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside amidst allegations of padding of the 2024 budget.
In a statement released on Friday by the APC’s national publicity secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, the party dismissed the PDP’s stance as ‘crass buffoonery’ and defended Akpabio, asserting that he had not committed anything wrong to warrant his resignation.
APC further lambasted the PDP for allegedly lacking focus and purpose, accusing it of hastily jumping to conclusions without considering facts or due process.
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The ruling party urged the PDP to redirect its energy towards strengthening democracy and stabilizing the nation instead of interfering in Senate affairs.
The statement read, “Exactly how is the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi without first referring the matter to a Senate standing committee proof of a cover up? How is a committee of the full Senate conducting an inquiry in the matter, in full public view on national television, less independent and transparent or in violation of the Senate’s standing rules or any other laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“Contrary to the PDP’s twisted argument, the Senate neither violated its standing rules and orders nor the Constitution by not referring the matter to a relevant committee. Rather, placing the matter before the committee of the whole, under public scrutiny, underscored the premium the Senate placed on transparency in the conduct of its proceedings.
“It was clear for all to see that the author of the allegation was unable to offer any substantiation or justification.”
The party laughed off PDP’s call on the Senate President to submit himself to anti-graft agencies for investigation, pointing out the irony of such a recommendation coming from a party it said has a tainted record on corruption.
Morka said, “It is eerily comical that the PDP, a party with a sordid legacy of monumental corruption would suggest that the President of the Senate should turn himself to anti-graft agencies for investigation.
“This is the entity that turned graft and corruption to statecraft, the same entity that cannot account for funds raised for the building of its own national headquarters, making such a ridiculous call. The PDP should lead by example and heed its own call.”
APC reaffirmed the Senate’s authority to govern its proceedings and handle internal matters independently, emphasizing the transparency of its actions in addressing the allegations against Akpabio.
The party urged the PDP to lead by example and adhere to its own calls for accountability and transparency.
“The legislative authority of the Senate includes the authority to make its own rules and adopt its own procedures for discharging its constitutional mandate.
“That extends to modifying its rules and standing orders in accordance with its rules and procedures, and in observance of all applicable legal and constitutional standards. It also has the authority to discipline its members in accordance with its institutional and constitutional due process,” the statement added.