By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
The Presidency on Sunday night time refuted the claims that the All Progressives Congress, APC, arm-twisted and pressurised members of the opposition political events to defect to the ruling social gathering, saying the decanpees have been motivated by the alleged noticeable positive factors of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme.
The Presidency additionally denied the allegation that the ruling APC is utilizing the anti-graft companies just like the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee, EFCC, to harass and intimidate the opposition.
In an announcement issued by Particular Adviser to the President on Info and Technique, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency mentioned President Tinubu doesn’t problem directives to any anti-corruption company on whom to research, arrest, or prosecute.
The presidency, within the assertion titled: “A failed opposition partaking in subterfuge and the empty seek for scapegoats,” mentioned the battle in opposition to corruption is a collective duty and shouldn’t be trivialised by baseless allegations, jaundiced or politicised narratives.
The assertion learn: “Nigeria’s so-called opposition politicians, comprising a few of these left in a dying political social gathering and a sprinkling of some failed political workplace aspirants regrouping in a platform struggling to seek out its bearings, are amusing tons.
“They blow sizzling air, search scapegoats for his or her failure and transfer to confuse the polity in a determined seek for low cost political positive factors.
“On Sunday, a gaggle of opposition figures gathered to sing their acquainted tune, hoping their cheerleaders would see their motion as a blistering assault from a seemingly virile opposition group.
“They alleged a risk to multi-party democracy as a result of many prime politicians are becoming a member of the governing All Progressives Congress of their very own free will. Our structure ensures freedom of affiliation and affords our folks the correct to alter their political leanings at any time of their selecting.
“Not one of the individuals who joined the governing APC was pressured to take action. All of them did so of their very own free will. They’re being motivated by the noticeable positive factors of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme.
“We could ask: when politicians have been shifting in droves to the now-dying Peoples Democratic Get together between 2000 and 2015, was Nigeria’s democracy imperilled?
“Additionally, investigations by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) have begun exposing these with some rationalization to present relating to their stewardship in workplace and administration of public funds entrusted to them. These politicians now accuse President Tinubu of weaponising the EFCC for political functions.
“Whereas the Presidency doesn’t communicate for the EFCC and believes the company can communicate for itself, we should reiterate that the EFCC is an impartial establishment established by legislation and empowered to hold out its statutory obligations with out interference or favour.”
Persevering with, it mentioned: “The company’s mandate is to research and prosecute monetary crimes, regardless of the personalities concerned, their political affiliations, or their positions in society. We discover it curious that the identical individuals who claimed they wish to rescue Nigeria are actually those waging a battle of attrition in opposition to accountability and probity. Those that have circumstances to reply earlier than EFCC ought to be daring and courageous sufficient to defend themselves if they’re clear.
“President Tinubu doesn’t problem directives to any anti-corruption company on whom to research, arrest, or prosecute.
“President Tinubu has vital state points to deal with somewhat than have interaction in political concentrating on.
“The prosecution is performed by the court docket, not by any sleight of hand, and people discovered not responsible will obtain a clear invoice of well being.
“Allegations of “weaponisation” are distractions from these politicians, who’re working wanting marketing campaign points to problem President Tinubu and the APC’s success in lower than three years in workplace.
“Nobody is above the legislation. Everybody should be accountable for his or her actions, each out and in of the workplace. Political affiliation shouldn’t be a protect in opposition to EFCC statutory work, which not too long ago led to Nigeria’s elimination from the FATF gray record.
“Now we have taken cognizance of the signatories to the assertion. It’s instructive that a few of them have been beforehand investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC even earlier than President Tinubu took workplace in 2023.
“A few of these politicians have additionally been indicted in worldwide monetary probes for cash laundering, with a few of their accomplices jailed in overseas lands.
“Are they now signing statements as a result of their chickens are coming residence to roost?
“We advise these politicians to not undermine the integrity of our nation’s establishments and the collective resolve to battle corruption by weaponising politics to flee accountability and encourage impunity.
“The battle in opposition to corruption is a collective duty and shouldn’t be trivialised by baseless allegations, jaundiced or politicised narratives.”
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