The ruling All Progressives Congress has blasted lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whom it said conducted themselves in an unruly manner during the presentation of the 2019 National Budget by President Mohammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
According to Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Natinal Publicity Secretary “By law, respect for the office of the president or head of government in any clime is not a matter of choice but a civic obligation sanctioned . Being an opposition party or critic is no licence for such wayward conduct by the PDP legislative caucus; most especially against the president of the country.
Not even the admonition of President to the PDP lawmakers that “You are on international TV, comport yourselves. The world is watching us; we should be above this,”f ailed to calm the unruly PDP elements.
Nigerians are not oblivious of the actions and inactions of the National Assembly presiding officers, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara while the President was being heckled by the PDP legislative caucus. Their failure to rein in their unruly PDP colleagues, while their show of shame lasted clearly confirmed that the PDP members’ action was premeditated and orchestrated to embarrass the President.
The party commended President Muhammadu Buhari “ for remaining calm and focused during the budget presentation despite the provocation from PDP lawmakers, an act of statesmanship that has been acknowledged by Nigerians. We are equally proud of the APC lawmakers, who stood firm in defence of the President and our great party during the budget presentation. “
The party called on the National Assembly to “rise above political and selfish interests by putting the country first in its consideration of the proposed N8.83 trillion 2019 national budget. The proposed budget provides a realistic and implementable framework that will spur the administration’s effort to achieve a a prosperous, strong and stable Nigeria.”
