Atiku group says Buhari group ‘advertising ignorance’ over it’s reaction to MTN fine saga

A pro-Atiku group has berated the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) over its reaction on the stand of the senate regarding the reduction of fine placed on telecoms giant, MTN from $8.1bn to $800m.

The group describes the response of the BMO as a reflection of the fallen standards of education in the country.

In a statement made available on Friday through its spokesman, Samuel Odion, the group said that the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) needed lessons and it had volunteered to educate it.

The two groups have separately reacted to the disagreement between the executive and legislative arms of government following the reduction of the fine slammed on telecommunications giant, MTN, from $8.1bn to $800m.

In an earlier reaction, the BMO warned the senate in what it describes as “interfering with the executive in running of state affairs” saying it should rather concentrate on its duties in providing adequate legislation for the growth of the nation.

But the pro Atiku group believes that the careless statement by the BMO “speaks trenchantly about the fallen standards of education in the country, which the present administration has worsened.”

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The group maintained that the executive cannot act in repudiation of the legislature. Transparency demands that the executive does not act in isolation of the legislature.

The statement explains further, “First, it is one of the functions of the Senate to pass resolutions on any issue affecting the country. Therefore, the Senate did not act outside its powers by taking a position, through a resolution, on the reduction of the MTN fine.

“If the BMO had cared to do a little study, it would have realized that the upper legislative chamber specifically asked for an explanation of why the fine was reduced from $8.1 billion to $800 million, and of why it became necessary.

“The BMO should understand that the legislature is an institution of check; hence it must always hold the executive accountable.”

The group advised the BMO to do some research before making a statement so as not to run the risk of “always advertising its ignorance.”

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