The People’s Democratic Party PDP Lagos State Chapter ably led by Engr Adedeji Doherty has vehemently decried a seeming attempt by the Muhammadu Buhari led ruling party to muzzle the People’s Democratic Party.
Engr Doherty stated that any attempt of such, by the Buhari led government in these trying times in the history of our dear nation, would not only be fuelling the already tense situation in the country, but would also be stiffly resisted.
He also seized the opportunity to pledge an alloyed support of himself and his team to the National Working Committee of the Party headed by Prince Uche Secondus.
He however took a swipe at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning the agency not to be used by the ruling party as a tool of discord.
Engr Doherty resonated the stance of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, who had only recently condemned in strong terms some unwarranted actions of the Abdulrasheed Bawa led EFCC.
You would recall that the EFCC had invited the National Leadership of PDP for questioning over Party funding.
The Forum of PDP Chairmen had risen from a meeting and stated in clear terms that:
*The monitoring of Political Parties funds is the legal and constitutional duty of INEC and not that of EFCC.
*INEC has not raised any issue on the generation and management of the finances of the PDP as a Party.
*EFCC has never, to the knowledge of the PDP, questioned the management of finances of any Political Party in Nigeria.
*The laws establishing both EFCC and INEC are very clear as to their respective functions.
*Nigeria is a Multi-Party Democracy and NOT a One Party Democracy.
*EFCC and indeed all Government Agencies and Institutions should not be involved in anything that will threathen the growth of Democracy in Nigeria.
*The PDP will not allow any Agency or Institution of Government to tamper with the cherished rights of Nigerians to hold and share their views through identification with any legally and constitutionally recognized Association.
The PDP State Chairmen’s Forum advised the EFCC to, without delay, terminate all unholy voyage that can only lead the Country to doom.
The forum further advised the EFCC to restrict itself to its core mandate as provided for in its statutes.
In a statement signed by Hon Francis Orogu the Forum PRO, the State Chairmen reiterated that, as year 2023 draws near, the muzzling of opposition Parties by any group of power drunk individuals, who want to perpetuate themselves in office through undemocratic means, would be stiffly resisted.
Engr Adedeji Doherty reiterated that the position of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen remains the position of the Lagos State PDP and that the ruling party should desist from an acts capable of turning our dear nation into a One Party Democracy.
