Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
October 30, 2015 – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Thursday’s confirmation of former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi by senators of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as nothing but a death knell on the much vaunted anticorruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The PDP made the observation in a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting to discuss recent losses at the various tribunals by candidates of the party.
The party also hailed the courage and unity of purpose of its senators who staged a walk-out when it became clear to them that Senate was determined to approve Amaechi, which the party sees as an act of impunity.
“The PDP states that what the APC senators did today is a death knell on their party’s pretentious war against corruption”, he said.
According to the communique, the gains recorded in the 16 years of nurturing of democracy in the country by the PDP is rapidly being eroded with non-functioning of basic tenets of democracy and perpetuation of actions tilting towards dictatorship.
It added that the insensitivity of the ruling government to very critical issues being raised by the opposition is a huge threat to viable democracy and dangerous to the peace, unity and progress of the country
“That the party finds it offensive and provocative, the judiciary’s handling of cases involving it in election tribunals in some states, particularly, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau and Lagos states.
“The tainted judgments of these tribunals, which are evidently products of arm-twisting from the nation’s security operatives under the direct command of an APC member remains unacceptable to us.
“ The PDP states that the conclusive evidence of external influence on the Rivers State governorship election tribunal is the fact that it was able to deliver its judgment within 24 hours, in a case that had nearly 100 witnesses, 1000 pieces of documentary evidences and nine counsel’s final written addresses; each not less than 40 pages.
“The decision, in view of the rather interesting history of the case, indicates that the judiciary, like the PDP and the Nigerian electorate are victims of the APC-led Federal Government”, the party said in the communique signed by National Secretary of the party Prof. Adewale Oladipo.
