Hanan Buhari after arriving in Bauchi
According to Punch Metro, the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday
said President Muhammadu Buhari abused his office and allegedly
exhibited the worst form of corruption by dispatching the officially
restricted Presidential jet to airlift his daughter, Hanan, for her
private photography event in Bauchi State.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a
statement described the action as provocative, condemnable, completely
improper and an unpardonable slap on the sensibility of millions of
Nigerians, particularly, the youths, who look up to Buhari for
integrity, uprightness and respect for rules.
He stated that the development was a strong pointer to the alleged
recklessness that pervades the Buhari regime and the alleged
indefensible annexation of the national assets and resources for illegal
private use.
Ologbondiyan said, “It is even most appalling that instead of
apologizing to Nigerians, the Buhari Presidency, in its arrogance, is
resorting to falsehood and trying to justify the inexcusable.
“Our party holds that Mr. President should apologise for approving that
her daughter uses the Presidential jet just for the purpose of
allegedly taking photographs in a Durbar event in Bauchi state.
“Perhaps, the Buhari Presidency forgot that it is public knowledge that
the Presidential fleet can only be authorized for use by the President,
the First Lady, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House
of Representatives, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, former Presidents,
Presidential delegation and no one else.”
He added, “Moreover, the rules do not grant the President any powers
to transfer any paraphernalia of office or privileges of his position
to any of his children.
“The Presidency’s defence is therefore a direct spat on millions of
Nigerians who cannot freely ply our highways because Mr. President and
his party the APC, have failed to fix and rid our roads of kidnappers
and bandits, who have practically taken over major routes under their
despicable watch.
“The PDP notes that never in the history of our nation has a Presidency
exhibited such arrogance, impunity and corruption, adding that the
action has further shown that the Buhari Presidency had only been
parading and getting away with false integrity.”
According to him, Buhari heavily accused and criticized previous
administrations of voting and wasting huge resources to maintain the
Presidential fleet and promised to sell off most of the planes to save
cost.
He stated that since Buhari assumed office, none of the planes had been sold.
He added that instead, the Buhari Presidency had continued to budget
more funds for the fleet with N8.5 bn budgeted for 2020 alone, only to
approve that his daughter uses a presidential jet for her private
photography event.
Ologbondiyan said, “The PDP urges the Buhari Presidency to respect
the sensibilities of Nigerians by immediately withdrawing his
provocative justification and show leadership by apologizing to the
nation for this abuse of office.”