The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has reiterated its long-standing
position barring members of the party from
accepting appointments from the PDP-led Federal Government.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said
the decision to re-state that position followed the appointment
offered to the ACN presidential candidate in the 2011
elections, Mala Nuhu Ribadu, as head of the Petroleum Revenue Special
Task Force, set up by the Hon Minister for
Petroleum Resources, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke.
”As a political party, we wish to reiterate our position barring any
member of our party from taking any appointment whatsoever from the PDP-led Federal Government. Any member of our party who takes
such an appointment does so in his personal
capacity,” it said.
ACN said, however, that as a leading opposition party, it will
continue to play its role in ensuring good governance and contributing
to nation building through its regular constructive criticisms which,
hitherto and unfortunately so, have fallen on deaf ears.
The party said despite its efforts, as well as those of other parties,
individuals and organisations, in offering well-meaning suggestions
to the inept Jonathan Administration, the Administration has not
demonstrated good faith in this respect .
”For instance, on the vexed issue of removal of petroleum subsidy, it
is on record that our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria,
responded with patriotic and constructive suggestions during a meeting
between the President in Abuja. At the end of that meeting, President
Jonathan promised to further consult with us before taking any further
step in respect of the matter.
”To our amazement, and true to the deceptive nature of this
Administration, we all woke up on January 1st, 2012, to learn that the
government has unilaterally removed subsidy from petrol. How then can
we, in good conscience, work with such an Administration?
How can we be sure that these slew of appointments are not being used
by the Administration to shore up its sagging – or totally sagged –
credibility?
”We believe that when a party as clueless and inept as the PDP finds
itself incapable of solving the myriad of problems facing it, as it is
currently the situation, the party should be humble and honest enough
to accept its failure and cluelessness and openly seek help from the
opposition parties.
”However, rushing to poach credible personalities from the opposition
without first accepting that it is overwhelmed by the problems
facing it smacks of underhand tactics aimed at decimating the
opposition and also tarnishing the well-earned credibility of such
personalities. After all, one can never be sure – going by the
deceptive nature of the PDP – that the kind of appointment now being
offered to Malam Ribadu is being made in good faith or just to get
credible people to launder the government’s badly damaged image
and credibility.
”There is also the possibility that booby-traps will be deliberately
set for such credible personalities to guarantee their failure in
their
stated assignment, after which they will be ridiculed and dumped like
an ordinary chump!” ACN said.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
Abuja, Feb. 8th 2012
