The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the Presidency
immediately make public all issues relating to the so-called private
visit of President Muhammadu Buhari’s to the United Kingdom.
The party, which queried the Presidency for always shrouding issues
around the President in secrecy, pointedly demanded a full disclosure on
the scope, purpose, direct destination, duration as well as the cost and
source of the funding for this undisclosed tourism.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola
Ologbondiyan, on Wednesday, said President Buhari is not a private
citizen and cannot embark on private trips, wrapped in secrecy, since
his upkeep draws directly from national resources and taxpayers’ money.
While the PDP has nothing against Mr. President embarking on any trip,
we insist that as the President of the Federal Republic, there must be
full disclosures to Nigerians because the citizens deserve to know the
purpose of the visit and the cost on the nation.
We know that Mr. President is billed to attend the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to take place between April 16 and
20, but Nigerians are wondering why he is taking off to an undisclosed
destination in London two clear weeks ahead.
We ask; Is President Buhari and his handlers hiding anything from
Nigerians so much so that they cannot disclose the reason and duration
of the so-called private visit?
Nigerians are invited to note that this secret visit has a departure
date but silent on the purpose, date and place of arrival.
Today, our economy is hemorrhaging and the citizens are languishing
because of the continued lack of accountability and total incompetence
of the Buhari-led administration.
The PDP insists that public officers at all levels, particularly the
occupier of the office of the President, must be accountable,
transparent and answerable in all their dealings at all times,
especially under an administration that claims zero tolerance for
corruption.
