The call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Uche Secondus instructing PDP Senators at the National Assembly to work against the passage of requests by President Muhammadu Buhari on loans that will benefit Nigeria is unpatriotic, illogical and crudely partisan.
According to the Buhari Media Organization (BMO), by making such a request, PDP has asked its members to work against the interest of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group said this “evil directive is formed from either the lack of understanding of the importance and necessity for the loans Nigeria is taking, or it is a deliberate lack of patriotism for partisanship sake.
“Either or both, we can indeed see that the PDP leadership is confused, desperate and has no interest in the well-being of the Nigerian state.
“That incitement of its elected members by the PDP leadership is a subtle request for anarchist democracy. By asking its members at the National Assembly to adopt a position contrary to common sense and Nigeria’s interest, exposes the PDP as a party with zero-regard for the development, growth and success of our country.
“It is this attitude they brought to governance when they held sway of the affairs of the country, leading to its near collapse.
“Opposition parties around the world are laying aside their partisanship and focusing on the more important issue of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic as one country, with one heart and in the interest of their countries. On the other hand, our opposition party is calling on its Senators to work against the country, even at a time when the country needs everyone to put its loyalty to the country before party.
“We are ashamed of Secondus and his likes. They are the few misguided Nigerians who give the majority a bad name. They place their biases and partisanship above what should matter most: country.”
BMO noted that Nigeria was not taking loans because it was loan-hungry, but because the country did not have enough revenue to cater for critical expenditure.
“With a pandemic hitting us, our earnings as a country has dipped. The President cannot sit back and fold his arms when there are no funds to cater for critical projects – especially during the pandemic.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic, Nigeria needs to pump money into the economy to galvanise productivity and enhance demand. The country’s revenue is down, consequently, it must borrow – the majority of countries around the world, facing the pandemic, have resorted to borrowing. It is the simple and logical thing to do. Moreso, Nigeria is creditworthy. Importantly, we are not borrowing to finance recurrent expenditures but to fund capital projects.”
The group called on PDP members of the Senate not to sacrifice their national assignment on the altar of partisanship.
“Patriotism trumps partisanship. PDP members in the Senate have so far shown that they understand the import of this and the national assignment they have been called to handle. The call by the PDP Chairman that they should do otherwise should be dumped where it belongs: in the dustbin of shame.” the statement added.
