PDP: Buhari taking us back to dictatorship

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the claim of President Muhammadu Buhari that he is a converted democrat, accusing him of returning the country to dictatorship.

In a statement issued by Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the former ruling party, PDP claimed that democracy under Buhari is in danger, calling for the intervention of the international community.

Metuh said the current administration is trying to create constitutional crisis, wondering why new officials have not been appointed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since the expiration of the tenure of most of the top officials of the commission.

“How can this government explain the fact that a major institution of democracy like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been deliberately debilitated to the extent that it can no longer perform its statutory responsibility for lack of quorum?” he asked.

“Nigerians are aware that before his tenure expired on June 30th, the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega wrote to President Buhari, intimating him of the fact that the tenure of majority of the national commissioners will expire before August, yet the president never acted, resulting in the present crisis in the commission, where more than 80% out of the statutory 13 members remain vacant, even as eleven states of the federation are also without resident electoral commissioners.

“We note that this anomaly is in addition to the uncertainty surrounding the controversial appointment of an acting chairman of INEC in the person of a national commissioner whose tenure has since expired, not minding that there is no provision for an acting chairman of INEC in our constitution.

“This development has completely enervated the commission from carrying out its functions as stipulated in part 1 of 3rd schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended, thereby putting our electoral system under severe threat.

“We ask, if not for a possibility of an ulterior motive to inject a constitutional crisis and undermine the nation’s democracy, why should President Buhari wait to be urged before he upholds his responsibility of forwarding replacements to the senate for confirmation so as to enable the commission effectively carry out its constitutional responsibilities to the nation?

“Could this be a ploy by the APC-led government to use a decapitated INEC to conduct the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa to pave way for their planned ‘capture’ of the two PDP states?

“Is the weakening of INEC not part of the plot to use the commission to put the PDP in precarious position in various electoral tribunals to the advantage of the APC?”

Metuh also described the delay of the president in forming a cabinet as a violation of the constitution.

He disagreed with Lai Mohammed, his APC counterpart, on some issues that have got to do with 2015 national peace committee.

Unconfirmed reports have it that the committee raised the issue of probes during its recent meeting with Buhari and Mohammed’s veiled reference to the meeting in Sunday’s statement raised the level of suspicion.

However, Metuh expressed surprise that the APC could attack the committee despite the role it played in stabilising the country before and after the election.

“Also, of grave concern is the adamant stance of this administration in running a government without the statutory components of a full cabinet as prescribed by the constitution, even when the negative consequences of this strange and totalitarian tendency are taking serious toll on the economy and the polity in general,” the statement read.

“The intolerance of the APC and the glaring insensitivity of this government, in spite of the outcries of well-meaning Nigerians against their undemocratic leanings, raise fears about the future of our democracy and the general health of our dear nation.

“For example, how can we begin to explain the venom and disparagement with which the APC has been attacking our highly revered national leaders in the national peace committee, which has as members, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, respected clerics; Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka, retired justices of superior records as well as others highly respected patriotic Nigerians, for daring to counsel Buhari’s government on some observed undemocratic tendencies and processes.

“The crass attacks are more astonishing, considering the much appreciated role these great Nigerians played in ensuring a peaceful and violence free 2015 general election.

“This is especially as we have no reason to believe that such weighty attacks from the president’s party can come without his approval, more so as the APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who authored the statements was not part of the meeting between the president and the peace committee.

“The PDP and indeed all discerning Nigerians are therefore left with no other option than to conclude that there is a clear agenda to undermine critical institutions of democracy, intimidate Nigerians and pave way for dictatorship in the land.”