The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the sack of Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) respectively, was a “Slap on the face of Nigerians.”
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In a statement its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye signed, the PDP condemned the manner President Buhari handled the allegations of sleaze against the two government officials, saying the President was biased.
The statement reads in part, “The statement on the sack of Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Ayo Oke, the former Director General of Nigerian Intelligent Agency (NIA) is a slap on the face of Nigerians. It is an insult on the collective intelligence of our people who have waited patiently for the President’s reaction on the humongous act of corruption by two of his principal aides and this is totally unacceptable.
“First and foremost, we had disagreed with the President last year when he decided to setup the panel headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to investigate the matter because we thought that was the wrong course of action to take. Ordinarily, cases of corruption or alleged cases of misappropriation of funds are supposed to be referred to institutions that are saddled with the responsibility to investigate and prosecute such matters which is the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if there is any prima facie case against them. But it appears not all animals are equal under the Buhari All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“Some people are treated with kid gloves while others particularly those in opposition are subjected to all manner of harrowing experiences.
“One of the Senators of the APC, Senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna State succinctly put the matter when he said that this administration uses deodorant to fight corruption when it comes to some APC members and President Buhari’s kitchen Cabinet and insecticides when it involves members of the opposition and those in the National Assembly. Expressing worry over the length of time it took President Buhari to take action on the matter, the party said members of the PDP facing similar charges were being treated differently.
“It took the President almost one year to attend to this matter while the culprits were having a field day at home and enjoying themselves. Whereas, in the case of the opposition especially the PDP members, even when the evidence is flimsy they will be visited with multiple harassment and intimidation for months and weeks without proper trial.
“We cite the case of Sambo Dasuki who has been in detention for over two years and running even when many courts in Nigeria and the ECOWAS Court have ordered for his release, but the President has fragrantly disobeyed these court orders which again are a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is an impeachable offence. So the President cannot just sack Ayo Oke and Babachir Lawal and expects us to be clapping for him.”
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Shehu Garba in a statement on Monday night said that President Buhari will not shield Lawal and Oke from investigation.
According to Garba, “All other actions will be taken by relevant government agencies. The position of the President therefore is that investigation agencies which have already commenced the investigation of the two officers removed from office will go on with their work of investigation without any interference or hindrance.
“The President who is fully conversant with the provisions of the constitution will not stop the investigation of anyone because he has no such power under our laws. This is a decision of the Supreme Court.
“The President under our laws can, through the Attorney General enter a nolle prosequi to stop an on-going trial. He may upon conviction, order a pardon.
“Beyond these, the president cannot order investigation agencies to not investigate anyone and does not intend to do in this, or any other circumstance.
“Based on his wish and desire for a strict observance of the law, the President expects the EFCC, ICPC and such agencies to proceed with ongoing investigations.
“When and where they have reasonable grounds to charge former or serving officers to court under our laws, they do not require the permission of the President to do so.”
