PDP Condemns Buhari, Mustapha Over Lockdown Broadcast

President Muhammadu Buhari has been condemned by the Peoples Democratic Party for not announcing the extension of gradual lockdown ease himself.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus, Boss Mustapha, had on Tuesday announced the extension in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States.

Mustapha revealed this during the briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 in Abuja.

Recall that the Minister of Health, Ehanire Osagie, had revealed that the President will address Nigerians, however, Buhari failed to address the nation rather directed Mustapha to announce the new directive on his behalf.

PDP in their reaction condemned the president for directing Mustapha to announce an extension of lockdown and curfew in Nigeria.

The party in a statement released through its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Mustapha’s action has brought so much confusion in Nigeria’s polity.

The opposition party charged the president to put an “end” to the confusion by addressing Nigerians.

“Our party points out that nowhere in our laws are the powers to broadcast Presidential executive orders to declare curfew and restriction of movements vested in the Office of the SGF.”

“The action of the SGF has brought serious confusion in the polity regarding the legality or otherwise of the directives contained in the SGF’s 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.”

“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.”

“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 fulfil 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.”