"Why Buhari's Anti-Corruption War Targets PDP" - APC Senators

The All Progressives Congress caucus in the Senate on Thursday defended the Buhari government’s corruption effort and justified why it targets members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, more.

The senate PDP caucus had on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of its members’ support for the government, citing the administration’s “belligerent attitude”.

But APC Senators, at a media briefing Thursday, defended Mr Buhari, saying those that benefited from illicit funds in the last administration have to face the consequences.

“We are shocked at the totally partisan reaction of our colleagues from the minority party, PDP, to the on-going investigations and recovery of public funds meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency,” said the APC Senators in their communique signed by the Senate Whip, Olusola Adeyeye (Osun State).

“Contrary to the assertion of our PDP colleagues, the investigation is not a partisan war against a particular political party. It is no longer a news item that there was a wanton diversion of public funds meant for fighting insurgency to fund campaigns of PDP. Members of the PDP were the sole and iniquitous beneficiaries of this diversion.”

“Seeking to recover diverted public funds is neither dictatorial nor against the rule of law. In all the actions, programmes and policies of the PMB-led APC Federal Government, no PDP member has been unjustly arrested or imprisoned on mere allegations.

“On the contrary, we are daily regaled with news of millions and billions of naira of public funds traced to accounts of individuals some of whom have accepted to return such diverted public funds,” he said.

The caucus passed a vote of confidence on Mr Buhari and expressed support for his policies and programmes.

“The members of the Joint Caucus of The All Progressive Congress (APC) and Labour Party Senators in the Senate are stoutly behind the policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration,” they said. “Our support is aimed at actualizing the promised desired change that Nigerians voted for last year.”

Ovie Omo-Agege, a labour party senator from Delta State, aligned with the APC.

The lawmakers emphasized the need for respect for the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government and warned against interference.