The All Progressives Congress, (APC) on Friday told the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) that its ‘sordid legacy of monumental corruption’ made it inappropriate for the opposition party to demand the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and turn himself to anti-graft agencies for investigation.
The PDP had, on Wednesday, asked Akpabio to step aside on the strength of the allegation by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi that the 2024 budget was padded by the Senate.
However, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a reaction yesterday, took a swipe at PDP, describing it as a “meddlesome interloper”.
The APC also said the PDP has continued to show itself as an entity bereft of focus and purpose, which is “quick to feast on sham without thought and consideration for facts and institutional due process.”
“It is rather ridiculous that the PDP that is unable to govern itself would seek to dictate to the Senate how it should conduct its proceedings and handle internal matters of discipline of its members,” Morka said.
On the allegations that the suspension of Senator Ningi was a cover-up, without first referring the matter to a Senate standing committee, the APC said: “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.
“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 into statecraft, the same entity that cannot account for funds raised for the building of its national headquarters, making such a ridiculous call. The PDP should lead by example and heed its call.”
It said: “The legislative authority of the Senate includes the authority to make its own rules and adopt its procedures for discharging its constitutional mandate. That extends to modifying its rules and standing orders by its rules and procedures, and observance of all applicable legal and constitutional standards. It also has the authority to discipline its members by its institutional and constitutional due process.”
Exonerating the Senate President of any complexity that would warrant his stepping down, the governing party maintained that “the President of the Senate has done nothing wrong to warrant him stepping aside on account of this or any other disclosed matter.
“The PDP should quit being a meddlesome interloper, expend its lean energy on revamping its decrepit institution, and leave the Senate to carry on its important role of deepening our democracy and stabilising our dear nation.”
Presidency should review 2024 budget; Akpabio must go, PDP insists
But the PDP insisted yesterday that Akpabio must quit while the Presidency must review the 2024 budget.
The PDP, in a statement entitled “N3.7t, You Can’t Suppress Investigation, PDP Replies Senate Leadership” spoke of the need to “restore the integrity of the 2024 budget” by President Tinubu.
In the statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said:
“The Akpabio-led APC leadership in the Senate ought to know that no amount of threats, harassment, suspension of whistleblowers and attempts to blackmail the opposition through diversionary press statements and sponsored articles in a section of the media can suppress the demand for an open investigation into the alleged budget padding which is already in the public domain.
“The PDP and Nigerians are however not deterred by attacks by the APC leadership in the Senate which is a clear case of corruption fighting back in the face of public scrutiny.
“More importantly, the failure by the Akpabio-led APC leadership to allow for investigation into the budget padding allegation constitutes a huge smear on the image of the Senate and destroys its rectitude and integrity to perform its Constitutional duty to investigate and oversight other public institutions; a situation that spells doom to our Constitutional democracy if not immediately checked.
“If Senator Akpabio has nothing to fear, he should immediately recall Senator Abdul Ningi and allow for an open and detailed investigation into the allegation of discrete insertion of N3.7 trillion into the 2024 budget.
“Our Party, standing shoulder to shoulder with Nigerians, insists that Senator Akpabio should step aside and allow for a credible investigation, as he cannot be a judge in this matter,” the party stated.
The PDP further stressed its demand that Senator Godswill Akpabio must not only step aside but also undergo a special probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Furthermore, the PDP stands by its demand that Senator Akpabio should report at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation into the alleged looting of N108 billion belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State and the N86 billion alleged contract scam under his watch as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs respectively,” the PDP added.
Nasarawa APC boss, Bello, vows to resist plot to impeach Akpabio
The Chairman of the APC in Nasarawa State chapter, Hon. Aliyu Bello, vowed to resist any plot to impeach Akpabio, stressing that those attempting to derail his (Akpabio’s) tenure would fail.
Bello told reporters in Abuja that the allegations against Akpabio lack substance.
“The North produced the Senate President in the past eight years under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. If there was anything a Northerner could have done as Senate President, that period provided a golden opportunity,” Bello said.
“What these lawmakers are interested in is only the raw power which they continuously use to their personal advantage.
“They will not get what they want. Senator Akpabio has been doing his best to support President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration. We won’t allow fifth columnists to derail him.”
Bello said recent happenings on the floor of the Senate, which led to the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) were the antics of senators habouring a misguided sense of entitlement, who feel they must either control the senate or they sink it.
