Share!
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has expressed its disapproval of what it described as ‘assumption of Presidential powers’ by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha to announce an extension of lockdown and curfew in the country, as measures to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Meridian Spy had reported Sunday, the President, Muhammadu Buhari would address the nation on Monday as revealed by the national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19 Dr. Sani Aliyu on a Channels TV programme.
It was however debunked by media aide, Femi Adesina on Monday afternoon, noting that there was no plans for a nationawide broadcast by the President.
Hours after, PTF chairman, Mustapha, at the media briefing in Abuja, announced the extension of the partial lockdown for another two weeks, stating that Nigeria was not yet ready for full opening of the economy and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority.
He stressed that any relaxation will “only portend grave danger” for the populace.
Reacting to the above, the PDP accused the SGF of assuming the President’s powers, noting that nowhere in the country’s laws are the powers to broadcast Presidential executive orders to declare curfew and restriction of movements vested in the Office of the SGF.
In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the action of the PTF chairman has brought serious confusion in the polity regarding the legality or otherwise of the directives contained in his announcement.
“Such powers are vested in the person and office of Mr. President and not exercisable by proxy, directly or indirectly; which makes the action of the SGF a recipe for serious constitutional crisis in our country,” the PDP stated.
“Our nation is a state governed by dictates of the law, particularly in the exercise of powers vested in statutory offices, especially that of the President.
“The PDP holds that the announcement by the SGF is, therefore, another manifestation of abuse of our statutory offices arising from the abdication of responsibilities by President Buhari since the last five years, which had also become more pronounced in this fight against COVID-19.”
The opposition party therefore called on the President to end the confusion by immediately addressing Nigerians in his official capacity to fulfil the demands of the law.
“Our party, therefore, invites Mr. President to end the confusion in the polity, arising from the action of the SGF, by immediately addressing Nigerians in his official capacity to fulfill the demands of our laws in respect of the necessary protocols on restrictions and other management procedures in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in our country.”
