THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of undemocratic tendencies.
Reacting to Buhari’s maiden Presidential Media Chat aired in Abuja on Wednesday, the party alleged that he had no regard for the Rule of Law.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, also said the President confirmed his partisanship in the much- vaunted war against corruption by openly absolving his ministers and party members of corruption.
“Whilst we restate our respect for the person and Office of the President, we note that President Buhari bared his true colours to the world.
“A situation where the President openly pronounced persons facing trial guilty and sanctioned their continued incarceration despite being granted bail by the courts, presents a dangerous fascist practice.
“This extremely shocking dictatorial tendency being brazenly exhibited in total disdain for our laws and judicial institutions portends great danger for our democracy and constitutionally- guaranteed rights of the people, and should be resisted by the citizens before it festers.
“The scorn for the principle of separation of powers, especially the independence of the legislature, is further manifested in the declared craving to regulate the funding and running of the National Assembly, a matter constitutionally vested outside the jurisdiction of the executive. We are most uncomfortable about his attempt at trying to whip up public sentiments against an independent arm of government, especially the one vested with the constitutional power of appropriation.
“On the issue of the Chibok girls, President Buhari’s declaration of seeking information on the whereabouts and state of the girls betrays an obvious insincerity which is in total conflict with his campaign promises in that regard. Thus by this declaration, our dear President has accepted failure on this issue and should therefore, apologise to Nigerians for all the insults, abuse and aspersions cast on the past administration by himself and the leadership of his political party.
“On the issue of devaluation of the naira, there is an obvious conflict between the budget speech wherein the President stated that the government is assessing the
foreign exchange rate with a view to attracting foreign investments and his categorical pronouncement during the media chat that the naira would not be devalued.
“Furthermore, Nigerians were shocked by the President’s labeling Nigerians as ‘very difficult lot’ while responding to questions on the strategy to be adopted in implementing his promised N5,000 social welfare package.
“Finally, Nigerians must take copious note of the fact that the President gave no inspiring answers to questions pertaining to his campaign promises, the fight against insurgency and rescue of the Chibok girls, the poor state of the naira, sudden plunging of the economy under his watch, and the gradual loss of democratic rights and freedom,” the PDP said.
