PDP’s apology ‘deceitful’ — Islamic group, MURIC

The recent apology by Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, for past mistakes of the party is deceitful and should not be accepted by Nigerians, a group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says.

The Islamic group said the apology is half-hearted as it didn’t address whether or not the party will return funds allegedly stolen.

During a public national discourse in March, Mr Secondus apologised to Nigerians for mistakes the party made while in power, promising that there would be no imposition of candidates or any form of impunity in the party’s activities henceforth.

The move has generated reactions and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and even the PDP have since then published what they tagged ‘looters’ list, comprising names of people who allegedly siphoned funds in either party.

MURIC after a meeting of its Central Think-Tank (CTT) described the apology as ‘half-hearted, deceitful and misplaced.’

In a statement signed by its Director, Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, the group noted that PDP’s redemption goes beyond apology as the party needs to criminalise corruption.

“It is half-hearted (the apology) because it is not comprehensive. Secondus said he apologized to Nigerians for “impunity, the imposition of candidates and other mistakes made in the past.” Just like that? Nothing was mentioned about the humongous amounts of money stolen by the PDP and whether or not the stolen funds will be returned. Nothing was said about widespread corruption during PDP’s reign. There was no mention of infrastructural negligence. Does Secondus expect Nigerians to swallow that dry apology hook, line and sinker? No, the tides have turned. Nigerians are now wiser.

“Who is the PDP trying to deceive? For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians did not sack PDP because its governors could not agree among themselves. Nigerians sent PDP packing because of its kleptomania and its flair for sharing money meant for building roads, electricity, education, etc, among its leaders. Before PDP can think of coming back, the party must tell us that it has agreed that stealing is corruption. Not only that, it must offer unreserved apology to the Nigerian hoi polloi for making that sweeping and misleading statement. Until they change that erroneous ideology, we will not touch PDP with a long pole.

“PDP’s apology is deceitful because even its megaphones do not believe that any apology should be offered. They are still arrogant and unrepentant. Femi Fani-Kayode, a PDP chieftain and firebrand megaphone, lambasted Uche Secondus for apologizing. Femi Fani-Kayode’s body language, coupled with Fayose’s hateful comportment and utterances since PDP fell from grace to grass are indubitable evidence of lack of remorse and unmitigated impunity. He who must come to equity must come with clean hands. PDP must be kept at bay.”

MURIC said the PDP is responsible for Nigeria’s current situation.

Source: Premium Times