APC denies Sagay, says comment on Senate uncalled for, regrettable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the alleged comment the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) chairman, Itse Sagay, made against the Senate and described it as “uncalled for and regrettable”.

While APC said the alleged comment could further complicate the relationship between the legislature and the executive, it frowned that Sagay could be making utterances that are “potentially injurious” to the peace efforts by the party.

The party then called on all elected and appointed officials of government to refrain from utterances that may endanger efforts to build harmonious relationship between the two arms of government.

APC stated this in a statement it released on Wednesday through its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisting that the party is in opposition to Sagay’s call on the Senate to withdraw the invitation extended to him.

Part of the statement read, “We believe the comments attributed to Prof. Sagay are uncalled for, regrettable and could further complicate the relationship between these vital arms of government. Our expectation would be that as a Law Professor of repute, Prof. Sagay would appreciate the need to not denigrate the institutions of democracy, be it the Executive, Legislature or Judiciary.

“As someone appointed by our government, we find this kind of posturing unacceptable and potentially injurious to the peace efforts by the party.

“The party wishes to reiterate its earlier position admonishing all elected or appointed officials of our government to desist from utterances that may endanger efforts to build harmonious relationship between the two arms of government. Prof. Sagay should not operate outside this admonition.”

Read also: Sagay threatens to drag Senate to court over summons

APC said Sagay, as an appointee of Mr. President, should rather help him to make friends that would make his job easier and not make enemies of people who by their position under the constitution are critical to the running of government.

APC further said it was happy with the outcome of its meeting with the party Senate Caucus on Tuesday, adding that it was confident that all the issues raised will be addressed.

Sagay had last week criticised the Senate for refusing to approve electoral commissioners until President Muhammadu Buhari removes the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

Sequel to that, the Senate passed a resolution asking its committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the comments made by Mr. Sagay.

However, insisting on his position, Sagay on Tuesday wrote to Senate President Bukola Saraki asking him to direct the committee to withdraw its summon on him or he would sue them.

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