The Peoples Democratic Party has described the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari as lacking direction.
The opposition party said events happening after the President’s return from the United States indicated that the President and his party, the All Progressives Congress, didn’t learn anything from the four day visit.
Spokesperson for the PDP, Olisa Metuh, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.
He said the party had looked forward for gains from the trip, especially given the opposition party’s restated support for any action or policy by the Federal Government aimed at stamping out corruption, ending insurgency and promoting economic growth, which, he said, formed part of the publicised agenda for the visit.
Metu, however, regretted that there had been nothing to show that the government had gained anything from the visit.
He said, “Now that the visit has come and gone, our fear is that nothing whatsoever has been learnt or gained.
“What we continue to receive as a nation have been embarrassing disagreements, accusations and counter accusations, blames and denials on very important issue due to lack of tact and skill in the management of state matters by the APC-led administration.
“It is disheartening that rather than secure any sort of tangible gain for the fight against terrorism, which has lost steam under the APC watch, with insurgents, who were pushed to the verge of surrender by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, now surging back and spreading into the country, we get nothing but exchanges and disagreements between the Presidency and their American hosts.
“This is not only embarrassing but also a worrisome indication of crass ineptitude in the handling of international affairs on the part of the present administration.”
He urged the government to settle down and face the business of governance and the fight against insurgency with every sense of seriousness, especially given President Buhari’s promise in his April 2, 2015 CNN interview to end the scourge two months after his inauguration, which he said will expire by the end of July.
Metuh also criticised the statement made by the President while in the USA in which he was quoted as saying that he would administer the country on the basis of the voting pattern in the last general elections rather than on equity as stipulated by the constitution and his oaths of office as the President of Nigeria.
He also said the business community in Nigeria, and indeed across the world, noted with what he described as utter dismay, the alleged disgraceful treatment meted out on some Nigerian bankers and captains of industries by President Buhari during his US visit.
While agreeing that the President has the right to decide who makes his entourage on such an important official visit, which visibly excluded National Assembly leaders, economic experts and had no woman, he nevertheless added that the manner with which he allegedly shamed and walked out Nigerian businessmen sends very wrong signal to international investors and poses great threats to inflow of direct foreign investment into our country.
“These Nigerian businessmen were rejected by their President only for them to be valued by other Presidents of African nations who led them into a meeting with President Barrack Obama in their own countries on account of their investments in those nations,” he added.
Metuh also said his party noted the alleged embarrassment caused by the absence of an economic team for healthy and informed discussion at the meeting with officials of the US government.
He said whereas President Obama came to the meeting with a formidable team of experts and key federal officials, President Buhari had in his entourage some APC governors who, he said, owe salaries and billions of Naira in debts.
This action, he said, robbed the nation the benefits and gains of the discussions.
Metuh said since the President has insisted on running his government as a sole administrator, making important decisions on national affairs without recourse to relevant statutory arms and organs of government, the PDP was being compelled to demand that this administration come out clear on its expenses since assumption of office in May in keeping with its much harped stance on transparency.
“We make this demand because since the APC took office, the nation’s financial system in the absence of statutory functionaries has been enmeshed in confusion, controversy and fertile atmosphere for financial sleazes,” he added.
Metuh also alleged that his party was in possession of information that the Presidency, acting alone, has gone into discussions with the World Bank for a loan of $2.1 billion for purposes unknown to Nigerians.
He asked, “What is the loan for? What are the terms and who are those working the papers? Who are the people to decide on how the money will be spent? Is it true that the $2.1 billion loan is meant to pay back huge contributions for the APC Presidential campaign expenses?
“If truly this government is transparent, it should come out clear on this loan as well as publicise details of its expenditure in the last two months.”
The opposition party’s spokesperson also condemned what he called the recent humiliation of the immediate-past First Lady and wife of the former President, Dame Patience Jonathan, at the Port Harcourt airport where he said she was refused access to the protocol lounge based on “order from Abuja.”
He said this was not the case when the immediate past President was in power, during which he said all former Presidents and their spouses had unhindered access to the protocol lounge.
He asked if the former President erred in conceding defeat and that with this action, the Federal Government, by any means, was encouraging a sit-tight attitude by government officials.
Metuh refused to take questions after the briefing. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Olisa Metuh and his PDP should focus on the election of 2019 instead of talking irrelevant things against APC like kids. They were in office for 16 years and led Nigerians to all round National doom, yet he has the gut to criticize a government that is been in place for just 2 months. They should allow APC to be focused instead of distracting them.
ReplyDeleteA good criticism is a sure way of keeping the government on track. Pse don't discourage criticism of a government you want to succeed.
DeleteWhy did he refused to take questions after his brief.
ReplyDeletel also reserve my further comments too
Metuh statements is sounding like "witchcraft voices from the grave "
ReplyDeleteOlisa is very high on something. At least Buhari was not high on Ogogoro like your dumbo Jonadaft.
ReplyDeleteHow high can he be on something? Are the issues he raised not true? If they are not true pls state the ones that are not true if you truely have a point and not biased. PDP ruled for 16 years no doubt, but APC is now in charge n in fairness has not done anything we can be proud of nor fullfilled any campaign promises, all we are getting are excuses and allegations of looting of the treasury yet there has been no prosecutions and on top of that they embarked on a bail out with money they said they don't have. Enough of these lies actions please
ReplyDeleteYour Metu is truly high on something, how would he know that members of Buhari economic team were not amongst those that were in US when President Buhari have not inaugurated any, but he 4orgot to add that the Central bank Governor was also in the mix who is an automatic member of any Economic team, by any government. You In particular shamefully said APC has not done anything to fulfilled campaign promises since when did they assume power? Government they took over with empty treasury; he mentioned in his speech that he took governors that owing salaries to America... in whose administration was this salaries owed?... As neutral (none politicians) We can never be fooled by any of your deluded criticism on this new government, we would only criticize when necessary and constructively too. Metu should know that we Nigerian know that Jonathan is a very good man, but his likes took advantage of his openness to loot Nigeria to the cleanest, today this man (BUHARI) is a more formidable, rugged and all daring to go after looters like you, out of place criticism like yours is even making him popular and more acceptable to Nigerians....don't you think it is hurting your party? sorry let me let you know that it will take the grace of God to get your party back in power in Nigeria if you continue the way you are going..... long live the federal republic of Nigeria
DeleteBuhari is a man of strong will and unfortunately quite vindictive to. From his tone, it was obvious that his U.S trip was just a waste also the Americans wont be happy with his Government for accusing then of aiding Boko Haram whether directly or indirectly. Oga Buhari you should learn how to be diplomatic, keep your "Down to earth" attitude in your farm at Daura. Please stop acting and talking like you are not refined, Please OOOOOO abeg, you need to kiss-ass sometimes when negotiating overseas to get things done in this world of today except you want us to be isolated like North Korea.
ReplyDeleteThe last poster I want you to know that Nigeria's economic system has been very stable within the last 2 months compared to your 16 year rule. The only thing we need to work on now is dollar rate and insecurity. Pdp should be ashamed of themselves. 16 years which is 192 months and they're criticising a party that has used just 2 months. You guys failed in government and are failing as an opposition also.
ReplyDelete