Musa, Yakassai warn government against political turmoil
President Muhammadu Buhari
• PDP senators pass no-confidence vote on APC government
• Party accuses Buhari of vendetta against Ekiti governor
• Fayose denies benefitting from arms deal scam
Two elder statesmen and Arewa leaders, Alhaji Abdulkadri Balarabe Musa and Tanko Yakassai yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately intervene in the crisis leading to the freezing of the bank account of Ekiti Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose and attempt by government to prosecute the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu on allegation of forgery.
They warned Buhari against the negative implications of throwing the country into a “fascist regime,” and the likelihood of a constitutional crisis as a result of the current problem emanating from the present dilemma confronting Fayose and the leaders of the Senate
Also, the strained relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government worsened yesterday as senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) addressed a press conference withdrawing their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
The senators based their decision on what they called the unwarranted threats to the legislature, particularly the Senate leadership by the executive arm of government as well as the intimidation and persecution of PDP members.
”The PDP caucus wishes to reiterate that we will no longer support the APC government until they cease the belligerent attitude towards PDP members,” the senators said.
In a related development, the leadership of the PDP yesterday asked the Presidency to stop what it described as witch hunt against leaders of opposition.
In a statement , the party said it “has been observing with dismay, the dangerous trend of politically motivated trials and tyrannical administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC)
The senators’ press conference which was addressed by Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Mr. Emmanuel Bwacha, and attended by all PDP senators, pointed out that the witch-hunt of perceived political opponents by the APC government could lead to anarchy.
They, therefore, resolved among others , as follows: ”That we condemn in totality the orchestrated plot to remove the President of the Senate and his Deputy through an illegal means. The deployment of state instruments of coercion to intimidate an independent arm of government like the legislature is now a major threat to the survival of our democracy; that the war against corruption should not be selective, must be fought with sincerity and not the politics that is being played now with ‘war against corruption’. We, therefore, condemn in strong terms the sentiments displayed in fighting corruption; the freezing of the account of the Ekiti State governor is clearly a political witch-hunt.
“Finally, the PDP Caucus wishes to reiterate that we will no longer support the APC government until it ceases the belligerent attitude towards PDP members.”
The PDP leadership, in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 described the freezing of the personal account of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as “unlawful, undemocratic, autocratic, oppressive, draconian and to say the least, the height of desperation by the Buhari administration to cover up for its failure to deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians.”
Prince Dayo Adeyeye, a member of the PDP National Caretaker Committee who spoke to the media on behalf of the party said events in the country in recent times have shown that President Buhari and the APC have no agenda for nation building but on a revenge mission. “This government is all out to silence any voice of the opposition”, he decried.
“Nigerians will recall that Chief Olisa Metuh, the former National Publicity Secretary of our great Party is today standing trial for receiving campaign funds and that one of the known opposition voices apart from some individuals and governors of our party that have exposed the APC-led administration for running the country aground in the last one year , the former spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Chief Femi Fani Kayode; and he is now standing trial for receiving campaign funds from the Director of Finance of the Campaign”
“President Buhari and his APC have introduced a dangerous trend in our polity and if this is not checked or curtailed immediately, Nigeria may be heading to an imperial-rule where the leader of the nation is a supreme ruler dictating who survives at the expense of Nigeria Constitution”.
Musa who is the chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and former Governor of Kaduna State said yesterday, while reacting to the Fayose saga,
“We are quite sure from all the evidence we have gathered that there is selectivity in the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government,” pointing out that “of course, other governors in the country should be investigated if Fayose could be investigated.
“And their bank accounts should also be scrutinised and frozen if they are found to be corrupt. Certainly, there seems to be selective probe, if Fayose alone is singled out.”
Besides, Alhaji Musa expressed concern over the forgery controversy that emanated in the Senate, saying, “we are terribly concerned about the situation in the Senate because this may lead to a serious political crisis in Nigeria.”
According to him, “it can lead to an attempt by the government to undermine the Senate and by implication the National Assembly. And if this is done, then the implication is that the President will be a dictator. He will work alone according to his agenda.
“Now, this action against the National Assembly by the Presidency implies that there is an attempt to destroy the National Assembly to enable the president to work alone and, at the same time, apply fascist measures in the country.
Meanwhile, Yakassi, who is also the chairman of Northern Elders Council (NEC) in a telephone interview with The Guardian yesterday, said: “I think it is now certain that presidents, governors and other serving public officers can be investigated and their bank accounts frozen. But, the President, Vice President and deputy governors are conferred with immunity by the constitution. The things that are happening these
days make me develop some fears about this country.”
While lamenting Fayose’s ordeal and that of the Senate President and his deputy, Yakassai said, “I want you to read the history of Nazi Party, with particular reference with the formation of Gestapo,” and stressed that “after Hitler came to power, he merged the party with the police and other security agencies put everybody in Germany in fear.
“And if care is not taken, to start with one governor in Nigeria, it will end up with everyone in the whole country. So, I think the media in this country should immediately help to rescue this country from dictatorship. If you don’t do it then you are not performing your duty in a democracy.”
He continued: “I am 90 years now; I’m on my way going. You have a duty to protect democracy in this country. I know what we did when Olusegun Obasanjo denied Lagos State Government of its statutory allocation. He is a military man and I’m not afraid of any military man in government. However, the right thing must be done. We must protect our democracy”.
Meanwhile, Fayose has denied claims by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that his campaign was funded by the Office of the former National Security Adviser (ONSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Fayose, however, disclosed that his camp was funded by a bank , fundraising, donations from friends and associates as well as sales of campaign souvenirs.
He said, “I have no financial transaction whatsoever with Dasuki and Obanikoro either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.”
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the governor challenged the EFCC to publish statements made by Obanikoro, his son or any other person associated with money from the NSA office where they claimed they gave him money for the election.
“EFCC is only acting a movie scripted, produced and directed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu
Buhari just to silence me being a major opposition voice in the country,” Adelusi added.
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16 Comments
The words of the elders are the words of wisdom. I respect you sir. If only the ear-infected leader can hear!
They, therefore, resolved among others , as follows: ”That we condemn in totality the orchestrated plot to remove the President of the Senate and his Deputy through an illegal means. The deployment of state instruments of coercion to intimidate an independent arm of government like the legislature is now a major threat to the survival of our democracy; that the war against corruption should not be selective, must be fought with sincerity and not the politics that is being played now with ‘war against corruption’. We, therefore, condemn in strong terms the sentiments displayed in fighting corruption; the freezing of the account of the Ekiti State governor is clearly a political witch-hunt.
“Finally, the PDP Caucus wishes to reiterate that we will no longer support the APC government until it ceases the belligerent attitude towards PDP members.”
The PDP leadership, in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 described the freezing of the personal account of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as “unlawful, undemocratic, autocratic, oppressive, draconian and to say the least, the height of desperation by the Buhari administration to cover up for its failure to deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians.”]
All these happening and solutions for Nigeria had been handed in that early to help you people and I said it: “All things strange and dangerous Nigerians make them all, folks!” So, your problem amongst others is: Who do you tell and he/ she is willing to act early? The irony and the danger is that your population is growing like I described it in my definition of what Nigeria is and you’re not being managed by truly politically minded managers again such that fits country like Nigeria as I described it also! So, we shall continue to pray and hope for the better – dunia na che, i’ba mu anfani mu jala dogon ligima n’mu deshi!
I thought they said he can now hear very well, From what am seeing I don’t think this president can hear anything ooh. This guy is still deaf, I guess the destruction of this country will force his ear to open up soon.
All of you keep saying selective prosecution of PDP members, is Saraki PDP?
YOU ARE REALLY DAFT
Really
Saraki is APC so WHY does Buhari want him out?
He was not Buhari’s imposed choice, SIMPLE!
This is indeed unfortunate for our so-called democracy.
if Nigeria gets to the stage where jihadist “herdsmen” invade your own village and break down your father’s compound (God forbid), i hope you will not justify it as anti-corruption crusade.
MATTERS OF THE MOMENT
SACK AND IMPRISON IMMEDIATELY THE CORRUPT, BOTH THE JUDGES AND THE POLITICIANS
PRESIDENT BUHARI, THERE IS NO THREAT TO DEMOCRACY IF YOU CATCH, REMOVE AND IMPRISON THESE CORRUPT GANGSTERS GANGING UP AGAINST YOU. CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST THEM ARE A FACT- THEY CANNOT DENY THEM. THIS RING OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION MUST BE RUPTURED BEYOND RECOGNITION.
BALARABE MUSA IS WRONG TO SUPPORT THESE CORRUPT SENATE AND NASS MEMBERS MOST OF WHO ARE CORRUPT POT BELLIES FEEDING FAT ON THE FINANCIAL ATROCITIES METED OUT TO THE POOR MASSES OF NIGERIA. THESE FAT CATS ARE IN MINORITY AND CONSTITUTE LESS THAN 1% OF THE NIGERIAN POPULATION BUT LOOTING MORE THAN 80% OF NIGERIAN TREASURY AND OIL RESOURCES. THIS GANG- UP BY THESE CORRUPT POLITICIANS WILL NOT SUCCEED, SO LONG AS YOU CONTINUE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER THE POOR MASSES OF NIGERIA WHO PUT YOU IN ASO ROCK. YOU MUST FIGHT THE CORRUPT SENATE AND NASS AND PUNISH THOSE FOUND GUILTY INCLUDING FROM YOUR OWN PARTY LIKE ATIKU AND TINUBU WITHOUT ANY FEARS FROM ANY QUARTERS.
MR BUHARI, YOU KNOW IT WELL, IT WILL BE AN UPHILL TASK TO BREAK THE ENSHRINED CULTURE OF MASS LOOTING IN NIGERIA. WHAT YOU SEE NOW IS THAT CORRUPTION IS FIGHTING BACK. IT WAS EXPECTED BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE FRAUDULENT FUNDS RUNNING INTO BILLIONS TO FIGHT BACK BRIBING THEIR WAY THROUGH. DO NOT GIVE UP, YOU EXPECT THIS BUT WITH COURAGE AND PERSISTENCE, EVENTUALLY YOU WILL SUCCEED IN BREAKING THEIR BACK. THE LONGER, THE THIEF SARAKI AND HIS LIKES ARE THERE IN THEIR UNDESERVED HIGH POSITIONS, THE MORE THE TROUBLE THESE THIEVES AND LOOTERS WILL MAKE FOR YOU AND THE POOR MASSES OF NIGERIA. THEY ARE A COMPLETE DIRT, GET RID OF THEM SOONER THAN LATER. ALSO SACK THOSE JUDGES AND JUSTICES WHO ARE CORRUPT AND DELIBERATELY CONTINUE TO PROLONG THE COURT CASES INDEFINITELY.
JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE NOT DONE.
Yakasay was also a beneficiary of the campaign funds. so we don’t expect him to be serious. By the way he an Elder in the North? who appointed Him?
you won’t understand where the country is heading to because you absolutely have no head
Even a blind man knows that Nigeria is heading to greater heights. Gone are those days when people like your Yakasay spend without working. Shine your eyes brother.
When Hitler took over with his populist policies the people were clapping, oblivious of the time they ended up in a fascist regime. For those who say there is selective anti-corruption war, you are correct but I assure you that the heat may be turned on APC members who will dare to oppose the re-election of …. That’s my prediction.
People said Igbo hated Buhari, and said all kinds of things for not voting him, Has Igbos now been vindicated or not? Igbos hates dictators, Igbos by nature are free minded and independent people who beileves in freedom of expression, equal justice, fairness and equity, and we know without a shadow of doubt that Buhari is nothing but a mean and evil-austere man like Adolf Hitler. He will kill and silence everyone that opposes his tyrannic government all in the name of fighting corruption. What does the killings of IPOB and MASSOB peaceful protesters has to do with fighting corruption. Change can be very costly, becafeful what you ask and pray for. Today, in Nigeria, the Red Devil Buhari is now on the throne, the country is now in a state of terror.
Fantastically, despot, dictator desperately, turning fascist. What a sad evil man, to lead a people,happy before
If the PDP has been supporting APC government in order for them to succeed then PDP must have been out of their mind. PDP should be aware that they were the party that controlled the government for sixteen years and now, they are the major opposition party because they lost the 2015 general election, and to say that you are supporting APC that is now controlling government means that they do not know what they are doing. During President Goodluck APC went all out to block the government. They incited foreign countries not to sell arms to the country, they even made some of the soldiers to abandon their weapons in the battleground and run away and the boko haram carting the weapons. They unleashed different types of opposition to make sure that PDP failed and that is the party PDP said they are supporting.
We will review and take appropriate action.