PDP- Buhari, Osinbajo cut their salaries for cheap popularity

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accus President Muhammadu Buhari of trying to gain cheap popularity by cutting his salary by 50 percent.



Buhari slashed his annual salary from N14 million to N7 million, and also rejected a proposal for the purchase of five armoured Mercedes cars worth N400 million, for his use.
Reacting, the PDP said the cut was an attempt to play to the gallery.
In a statement on Tuesday, Olisa Metuh,
spokesman of the PDP, urged the president to stop “brandishing cosmetic achievements and
focus on governance”.
“As the leader of the most populous black nation in the world, we believe you should not allow your presidency to be pushed into the gimmicks of playing to the gallery and attempting to use the dramatisation of promissory notes and pledges by foreign interests, false premature claims of victory
against insurgency, dramatisation of salary
cut and rejection of official cars, all to gain cheap popularity and create an impression that the government is on course when in the actual
fact, the new administration has not been able to locate a bearing since its inauguration in May,” the statement reads.
The party in its argument said while it
appreciates the symbolic gesture by Mr
President in ‘cutting’ his N14 million annual basic salary by 50 percent, it should be noted that Nigerians would not be wavered by the N7million annual donation and rejection of official cars, adding that their expectations
for the implementation of his long list of
campaign promises for which he was elected
into office must not be taken for granted.
Cautioning the president and his Vice against
diverting Nigerian attention from pressing
national issues, the PDP said, “The presidency
should know that these orchestration, no
matter how populist it may seem does not in
any way address the burning issues of
employment, worsening security situation,
decline in the economy, avoidable inactivity in
government businesses, and continued
apparent slide of the naira which has dipped
from under N200 to the dollar in May to an all
time low of N238 under the APC administration
among others.
“Moreover, Nigerians cannot be overwhelmed by
the gestures especially given that they are
pretty aware that the salary is a mere drop in
the ocean of personal allowances and privileges
that come to the president.
“They cannot therefore be deluded by
impressions aimed to make government appear
to be on course when it has only been a case of
all motion, no movement, spiced with
unnecessary excuses.
“Nigerians, going by feelers have not been
thrilled by such orchestrations as other leaders
who at one time or the other adopted similar
stance did not dither or become laid back, but
hit the ground running with governance. What
the citizens want is a government that is
urgent in living up to its billings and campaign
promises.
“Instead of allowing his government to be
taken over by needless showmanship, Mr.
President must realise that the people would
not judge him by such measures but on the
extent to which he addressed critical issues of
governance for which he was voted into power.
“The issue is about the president facing the
challenges of governance and assembling his
team of experts and capable hands to manage
the economy, which has been on the decline
since he assumed office. It is also about
allowing the different arms of government,
especially the national assembly to work
smoothly and encourage conducive democratic
environment where the rule of law, personal
freedom and security of lives and property are
guaranteed.”
The party accused Buhari of flouting his
campaign promises, alleging that the delay in
the appointment of minister has led to a drift
in government.
“Perhaps, we may need to draw Mr President’s
attention to the growing concern that under
his watch democratic institutions are no longer
free,” the statement read.
“While activities of the national assembly have
been disrupted, the nation’s electoral body has
lost its independence due to the appointment
of an acting chairman that is publicly known to
have very strong relationship with your good
self and key members of your party. We have
also seen flagrant disregard of court orders.
“We also wish to bring to your notice, Mr.
President that Nigerians are now agitated that
this government has failed to hit the ground
running as it promised. They are worried that
the president who promised to unveil his cabinet
two weeks after his inauguration in May, has,
two months after, not been able to decide on
key appointments such as ministers, secretary
to the government of the federation (SGF), a
chief of staff and advisers in key sectors of
the economy.
“They are worried by the drifting of
government business in ministries,
departments and agencies due to the absence
of political heads vested with coordinating of
important policies, which are now in tatters
and taking its toll on the economy as indicated
in the terrifying crippling of foreign and
domestic investments and harrowing
retrogression in the capital market which has
continued to lose billions of naira since May
29th.
“Instead of engaging in pointless propaganda,
the APC and the presidency should be more
concerned about the decline in the economy
with the continued fall in the value of the naira
which has descended from under N200 to the
dollar they inherited in May to all time low of
N238 even in the face of the president’s
promise to bring it to same value with the US
dollar.
“We need to caution that the needless
celebration of your party over Monday’s change
of service chiefs is totally premature
considering the corresponding urgency of
previous administration in this regard.
The party reminded the APC and its leadership
of several campaign promises made to
Nigerians, saying, “also, as a quick reminder,
we wish to notify you that in line with your
promises, Nigerians are still eager for
information regarding the five million new
jobs, monthly N5, 000 each to 25 million poor
citizens, monthly allowance to discharged but
unemployed Youth Corps members, free meals
to school children and bringing the naira to the
same value with the dollar; among other
promises upon which you and your party gained
access to power.