The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said on Friday, that President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the September 19, Governorship election in the State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has dented his image and ant-corruption fight, .
A statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said that President Buhari was ill-advised to meet with Pastor Ize-Iyamu.
“This meeting is ill-advised, and a dent on the image of President Buhari, whose administration is known for the spirited fight against corruption, which has encumbered the development of our dear country for decades.”
The State PDP noted that President Buhari was unaware that Pastor Ize-Iyamu is desperately in need of an endorsement from someone like the President, to shore up his battered image in the State and the larger court of public opinion, that have followed his criminal trial very closely.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Pastor Ize-Iyamu and 4 others, before Justice J. M. Umar, of the Federal High Court, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, over money laundering. He had also be accused by the sacked APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, of bathing a fellow Student with acid, as well as being a former cultist, among others.
“It is our considered view that associating with a man with corruption baggage (alleged), compromises the integrity of the President’s fight against corruption, and sends mixed signals to Nigerians, home and abroad, as well as other nationals who have invested enormous faith in the President’s fight against corruption”, PDP stressed.
It added that the dangerous precedent, if set, will embolden other Nigerians with similar or worse charges, to hobnob with the President, in the days and weeks to come.
Recall, that President Buhari met with the APC Governorship Candidate, and handed over the party’s flag to him, as a sign of his supports, on Friday.
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