Rush to defend Onnoghen shows PDP and corruption are like “Siamese twins”- APC

Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), says it has difficulties appreciating why the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rose quickly in defence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, over his planned trial for corruption by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

It, therefore, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja condemned PDP’s act and accused the party of romancing corruption.

Signed by APC’s spokesman, Lanre Issa-Olu, the ruling party said,:

“Following reports of the move to prosecute Justice Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of the Federation, over an alleged infraction on the Code of Conduct laws, the swift statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemning the purported move has again exposed the Party as one with a natural inclination to rise up in defence of cases of alleged corruption.

“PDP and corruption are Siamese twins that are difficult to separate from each other. One would have thought that the PDP will call for impartial investigations when corruption cases are levelled against public officers, but spinning falsehoods and conspiracies remains the opposition party’s favourite past time.”

Read also:ONNOGHEN: CUPP to embark on one-million-man protest

The party added, “The fight against corruption remains a cardinal promise made by the APC to the electorate. We assure the PDP and indeed all Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration remains uncompromising in its determination to rid the country of this malady.

“As noted on many occasions by President Buhari, it is only those who have committed crimes that need to worry. The APC administration will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute any public officer if and when such is indicted for corruption.

“Achieving acceptable elections in all democratic climes is a collective effort which require the contributions and support of all well-meaning Nigerians, political parties, institutions and sundry interests.”

The party praised its performance in the conduct of peaceful polls saying, “Commendably, in successive elections conducted under the APC administration, the Party has played by the rules, which has led to credible elections. This cannot be said of the PDP era when state institutions were deployed to manipulate the electoral process.

“The PDP’s baseless conspiracy theory on APC’s participation in the 2019 general elections should hereby be disregarded. We remain solidly committed to ensure that the forthcoming election go on record as one of the freest, most credible and peaceful elections in the country.”

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