Call For Prayer : PDP Replies Presidency After It Responded

The People’s Democratic Party through its National Publicity
Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh has replied the Presidency after its Special
Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina blasted the party for calling on
Nigerians to pray for president Buhari. According to Metuh major issues raised
were not addressed but instead they made empty boasts. He further said the
party would not in any way be cowed by threats and wild allegations by the
Presidency into abdicating its responsibility of speaking out as an opposition
party where the system is derailing. Below is the press statement released by
the party. I hope Nigerians know this ‘war’ is not about to stop? Not in the
next 4 years, not even in the next 8 years. Continue…

“The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians were appalled
by the response from the Presidency regarding our call for prayers to enable
President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration locate its bearing, compose a
government and halt the prevailing stagnation with its huge negative impact on
the system.

“Instead of addressing the issues raised, the Presidency
descended to insults, abuses and innuendos, a stance which not only bears out
the case made by the PDP but also raises questions about the capacity of this
administration to shoulder the enormous responsibility of governance.

“While we expect the present administration to be serious
about the fight against corruption, probe and persecute each and everyone
involved in such, irrespective of their party leaning, we restate that these
must be done within the ambits of the law and must not be used as a witch-hunt
ostensibly to discredit and undermine the opposition.

“We therefore caution against the current drama of
politicizing the issue of corruption in the country.

“Furthermore, the analogy of the Augean stable, is
completely baffling to us at this level as it goes to a great length to
question the capacity and the sincerity of those around the president.

“In Greek mythology, Hercules in his ingenuity took the task
and efficiently cleared the Augean’ stable in a day for which he demanded a
reward of a tenth of fine cattle belonging to the king.

“Nigerians would not want to believe that in the so-called
clearing of the Augean stable, although not delivering in one day, President
Buhari wants to play Hercules in his demand, this time, by wanting to run the
government alone without the statutory components of the executive as enshrined
in the constitution.

“We ask, is the so-called clearing of mess responsible for
his inability after 90 days of winning an election to make up his mind on
rudimentary appointments such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Chief of Staff and his demand for 15 Special Advisers as approved by the PDP
controlled Seventh Assembly since June 5, 2015?

“Perhaps we need to draw President Buhari’s attention to the
fact that while he is busy clearing his imaginary mess on the pages of
newspapers, some persons claiming closeness to him have in the last 30 days
been piling up sleazes that also need his attention in key agencies of government.

“Despite the absence of approving and supervising officials,
key income generating institutions like NNPC, NIMASA, NPA, FIRS and other
strategic agencies have been invaded by persons claiming to be friends and
associates of the President and this puts to question the sincerity and
seriousness of the administration to affect the so-called change upon which
they rode to power.

“Auxiliary to this is the issue of the construction of a
helipad, amongst various expenses and other major government expenditure going
on across board in the last one month and without due supervision as the eyes
of the President cannot be everywhere.

“We declare unequivocally that we do have respect for the
person and office of the President especially considering his age and status as
an elder statesman.

“However, we will like to make it very clear that the
President of the Federal Republic Nigeria is neither a Sherriff in the Old Wild
West nor a military dictator in some Banana Republic. He is an elected
president under a democratic setting,”