The Presidency has pushed back on the assertion by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement of the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu who is facing corruption charges encourages corruption.
It pointed out that the main opposition party also nominated Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State and Bala Mohammed Bauchi State for election despite having corruption cases preferred against them.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the PDP must first withdraw the nominations of the governors and lawmakers in a similar position before it can be taking seriously over Buhari’s endorsement of Ize-Iyamu.
The statement expressed surprise that the PDP, “which has been struggling to clear its name from alleged deals with the underworld in Dubai and the United States has, to our surprise, found the voice to attack the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration following the President’s endorsement of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.”
The statement added: “Forgetting its own history and antecedents, the PDP said in a garrulous statement that “the President ought to have been aware that the Candidate is standing trial for corruption,” and then went on rant against the government’s war against corruption, alleging its failure.
“Let PDP first withdraw the governorship nominations it gave to Ahmadu Fintiri and Bala Mohammed of Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively, before it opens its mouth and talks on the efforts of this administration in fighting corruption. Or else, it should shut its mouth forever and leave us to do what it dares not attempt.
“Both PDP governors were actually on bail from criminal trial on several counts of fraud and embezzlement”.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
