ABUJA, JUNE 27, 2016 – The Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina), on Monday said ongoing prosecution of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members over alleged corruption was not a witch-hunt.Ibrahim said in an interview in Abuja that the PDP and its members should be held responsible for their actions in their 16 years in power.
He said that the recent declaration by the party’s caucus in the Senate to withdraw support for President Muhammadu Buhari was an attempt to distract attention from the consequences of their actions.
“PDP came out and said they had withdrawn their support for the President.
“Members of the APC had to also meet and it was agreed that the PDP was shouting unnecessarily because there is nothing like withdrawing your support. You don’t support anything.
“PDP is screaming that the ongoing fight against corruption is selective and a witch-hunt.
“Who ruled the country? It is the PDP government, so, why do they expect other people to be accosted for what they have not done.
“They are the ones who ran this country down so they must face the consequences. They ruled this country since 1999 and they expect other people to face charges.
“They are just crying unnecessarily and trying to cover up their flaws but they have to take responsibility for their actions; nobody should take responsibility,’’ he said.
The lawmaker, who commended the ongoing fight against corruption, called on Nigerians to support the effort of the president.
“After 2019, APC will take responsibility for any breach and we will face charges; we will face any criminal action that will be taken.
“It is on this basis that we, the APC came out to tell Nigerians that we are supporting the president; he is doing fine and his action is not selective.
“The PDP forgets that these are coming consequent to investigation,’’ he said.
On proposed immunity and pension for principal officers of the National Assembly and state houses of assembly, Ibrahim said that it was uncalled for.
According to him, the president, governors and their deputies are given immunity because they have more challenging situations.
“Principal Officers in the legislature do not have direct access to the people.
“The tenure of lawmakers is not as limited as that of the executive. You can come as many times as you want; this is my fourth time.
“Probably I will finish when I die because I can win election anytime. Why immunity is given to the executive is because they have limited time of eight years,’’ he said.
NAN
