PDP backs FG on Oil Subsidy’s trial

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said is in support of the Federal Government’s decision to prosecute those indicted by the House of Representatives Oil subidy Committee report for receiving illegal oil funds. Already, sons of the incumbent National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and former Chairman of PDP, Amandu Ali are now under trial over the allleged oil subsidy funds. The Party noted that Government’s decision to bring to trial those indicted in the fuel subsidy probe was a signal that the PDP- led administration had nothing to hide. National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh stated this in a statement in Abuja. He was responding to the call by the Action Congress
of Nigeria (ACN) for the resignation of PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur over the indictment of his son Mahmud, in the probe. The statement urged the ACN to rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge the fact that the Federal Government has “no sacred cows” on the fuel subsidy probe. It described as “outlandish and sheepish’’ ACN‘s pronouncements on the issue, stressing that the opposition party’s position was “hypocritical and laughable’’. According to the statement, ACN‘s pronouncement is a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands tall in his contributions to the development of his country. The statement said the call was an assault on Tukur’s fundamental rights and a wild misadventure by a group that was ignorant of the workings of due process. It added that the PDP, as the party holding the mandate and trust of the people, would continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance. The statement said the PDP would, however, not allow the integrity of its leaders to be violated neither shall it succumb to blackmail from opposition political parties. It stated that Tukur would not resign because he was not on trial, neither had he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials. The statement added that Tukur‘s son, is being tried, is an adult and was fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. “We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about,’’ the statement said. It assured the public that the PDP would not interfere in any judicial process and particularly the fuel subsidy probe. “Contrary to insinuations by the opposition, it is on record that the PDP is the only party in Nigeria that does not unduly interfere in judicial processes involving its members. “We are committed to creating a level playing field for all Nigerians in every aspect of our national life. “We wish to create a Nigeria where no one will suffer for the perceived wrong doings of another person. “We must also uphold the principle of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,’’ the statement said. It added that it was unfortunate that the ACN was already dishing out judgments even before trials were concluded. “What is expected from a responsible opposition like it is done all over the world is to give credit where it is due, and criticise where necessary’’ the statement added