Shut Up And Stop Fiery Statements: APC Tells Prof Sagay, Others

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday pointedly told the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), to shut up, exercise restraint and desist from making inflammatory statements and utterances that may be misconstrued as an attack on the institution of the National Assembly.
The APC specifically expressed its objection to Osagay’s call on the Senate to withdraw invitation extended to him, stressing that as someone appointed by the government, it finds such posturing as unacceptable and potentially injurious to the peace efforts by the Party.
This is just as the ruling party urges all government appointees to stop making statements that may further worsen the relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government and derail the Party’s effort to make peace.
The position taken by the APC is part of efforts geared towards resolving the rift between the National Assembly and the Executive.
A statemet issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi the acknowledges the fatherly role being played by the President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve outstanding issues with the National Assembly, by setting up a high-level committee led by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
The APC said; “We believe the comments attributed to Prof. Sagay are uncalled for, regrettable and could further complicate the relationship between these vital arms of government.
“Our expectation would be that as a Law Professor of repute, Prof. Sagay would appreciate the need to not denigrate the institutions of democracy, be it the Executive, Legislature or Judiciary.
“Moreover, as an appointee of Mr. President, we should expect the learned Professor to key into his principal’s temper and help him to make friends that would make his job easier and not make enemies of people who, by virtue of the position they occupy under our law, are critical to the running of government and the nurturing of our democracy.
“The Party wishes to reiterate its earlier position admonishing all elected or appointed officials of our government to desist from utterances that may endanger efforts to build harmonious relationship between the two arms of government. Prof. Sagay should not operate outside this admonition.”
The Party expresses happiness with the meeting it had with the Senate Caucus on Tuesday and expressed confidence that all the issues raised will be addressed.
It also urges the National Assembly to further intensify its efforts to ensure timely passage of the 2017 National Budget.