- PDP: Akpabio Should Step Aside for EFCC to probe…
- APC: You talking Nonsense, Leave Senate out of your internal Crisis in PDP…
By Ken Afor
The two dominant political parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) are currently enmeshed in war of words over allegations of budget padding in the Senate.
This is coming as the All Progressives Congress (APC), lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over calls for the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to resign.
The APC, in a statement released on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, asked the PDP to stop interfering on the internal affairs the Senate. The APC urged the PDP to focus on rebuilding its own institution, and allow the Senate to continue its vital role of strengthening democracy and stabilizing the country.
This comes against the background of the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi over his allegation that the sum of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget was not tied to any specific project.
The Senator was suspended for three months despite denying the allegation.
Meanwhile, the PDP, in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, called for the resignation of the Senate President so that an investigation can be conducted. The PDP noted that Akpabio cannot remain in office while investigations are being canvassed into the alleged misdeeds.
The PDP said it is not only morally wrong but also politically insensitive to the plight of the vast majority if Nigerians.
The PDP said: “The Peoples Democratic Party demands that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, immediately step aside and allow for an independent investigation into the allegation that a staggering N3.7tn was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects.
“The party also demands that Senator Akpabio immediately reports to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the pending case of alleged looting of N108bn belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State under his watch as the governor of the state.”
But the APC, while faulting the PDP’s call for Akpabio’s resignation, said that the Senator has not engaged in any extraordinary actions that would require him to resign or be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC)in response to Ningi’s allegation.
The APC said: “The PDP should quit being a meddlesome interloper, expend its lean energy on revamping its decrepit institution, and leave the Senate to carry on with its important role of deepening our democracy and stabilising our dear nation.
“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.
“Exactly how is the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi without first referring the matter to a Senate standing committee proof of a cover up? 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.
“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. The PDP should lead by example and heed its own call.”
