An APC panel can’t try PDP members – Ekweremadu

Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu has said that a panel set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot try members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ekeweremadu said this while speaking at a south-east zonal meeting of PDP at Government House, Ebonyi state.

The deputy senate president said the allegation of false asset declaration against him is about the “politics of 2019”.

Ekeweremadu said it is unfortunate that the government would use anti-corruption agencies to “harass the opposition”.

He said the assets recovery panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari is against the PDP.

“Our dear people of PDP, south-east, while I thank you for the steadfastness you have shown over the last two to three years of APC governance in Nigeria, it is also an opportunity for me also to express my thanks and gratitude to those of you that tried to reach me and show concern over the smear campaign that you have witnessed concerning me over the past three weeks,” he said.

“As my people, I owe you the fact of telling you the truth, which is that I committed no offence. Because the matter is already in court, I do not intend to go into the details, but let me quickly add that very soon you will find out that it is only the politics of 2019.

“But what you are going to find out in 2019 is that PDP will be the David that is going to save Nigeria from the hands of Goliath and no amount of intimidation or blackmail will stop it.

“I just want to appeal that we continue on the path of honour. The APC government believes that one can capture power by blackmail and intimidation, which can never happen, and it will never happen.

“What we have found over the last few weeks is that a bunch of APC lawyers have assembled themselves and called themselves a panel on the recovery of government property led by led by a man called Okoi Obono-Obla. As a lawyer common sense tells you that you cannot be a judge in your own case.

“There is no justice for the cockroach in the court of fowls. That is exactly what that panel is all about. Obla and his co-travellers believe that we are all stupid. There is no way Nigerians and the international community will watch a panel set up APC, constituted by APC to try PDP people; it would never happen.

“I just want to appeal that we continue to pray for this country because the days ahead are worrisome but by the grace of God, we will overcome.”

The federal government is seeking to seize 19 houses reportedly traced to Ekweremadu; nine in Nigeria, two in the UK, eight in Dubai and three are in the US.