The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that people close to

President Mohammadu Buhari are currently stealing from some agencies of

Government in the absence of supervisory authorities.

President Buhari is yet to appoint Ministers and Special Advisers more

than 30 days after his inauguration as President.

The Opposition party in a Press Statement signed by its Spokesman, Mr.

Olisah Metuh named the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,

Nigeria Maritime and Security Agency, NIMASA, Nigeria Port Authority, NPA

and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS

He said while the party stand by its earlier assertion that the Government

of Buhari has failed in the last 30 days, PDP cannot be cowed by what he

termed, threats and wild allegations by the Presidency into abdicating its

responsibility of speaking out as an opposition party where the system was

derailing.

“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.

“Presidency’s excuse of clearing the so-called Augean Stable is lame and

diversionary noting that it stands by its statement that the delay is

creating loopholes through which some persons claiming closeness to the

President have infiltrated executive bodies, arm-twisting and conniving

with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to syphon the nation’s

resources in the last 30 days.

“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.”