From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted angrily to the request by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio to step aside.
APC also described PDP as meddlesome interloper, frowning at its demand for Akpabio to step aside over a matter of an unsubstantiated allegation of budget padding by the Senate, stressing that it is nothing short of crass buffoonery.
In a statement signed by Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary, the ruling party noted that the PDP has showed itself as an entity bereft of focus and purpose, adding that as a political scavenger, it is always quick to feast on sham without thought and consideration for facts and institutional due process.
“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?
“How is a committee of the full Senate conducting an inquiry in the matter, in full public view on national television, less independent and transparent or in violation of the Senate’s standing rules or any other laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“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. Rather, placing the matter before the committee of the whole, under public scrutiny, underscored the premium the Senate placed on transparency in the conduct of its proceedings. It was clear for all to see that the author of the allegation was unable to offer any substantiation or justification.
“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. This is the entity that turned graft and corruption to statecraft, the same entity that cannot account for funds raised for the building of its own national headquarters, making such a ridiculous call. The PDP should lead by example and heed its own call,” the ruling party noted in the statement.