APDA gets shadow cabinet to checkmate APC

NEWLY registered Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) is to form a shadow cabinet made of technocrats to put an eye on every department of the All Progressive Congress (APC) government with a view to offering constructive criticism.

The party is of the opinion that there is the need for the people to be able to distinguish between what is done rightly or wrongly in order to be in a position to demand good governance.

The party says it wants to move away from the usual practice of criticising for the sake of it and focusing on tangible actions or inactions of government.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Asandia Hogan, told Tribune Online in Abuja that in order to achieve this, the party would appoint different knowledgeable members of the party to oversee the actions of every department of the APC Federal Government.

She said, “Ultimately, the most advanced democracies declare that nations get the level of governance they deserve. If we as a people cannot differentiate what is right from wrong, then maybe we cannot realistically demand for good or better governance.

“However, as a party, we cannot just go about criticising every policy of government be it APC or PDP without any moral justification.

“This is why we are creating a shadow cabinet of technocrats to scrutinise the incumbent government’s policies, check their excesses and hold them accountable to their promises. It is unfortunate that thus far there has not been any meaningful opposition.

“Our immediate goals and objectives are all geared towards demonstrating to Nigerians that the outcome of the 2015 elections was a lesson in gullible ‘one chance’ politics.

“We believe Nigerians are wiser today and we need to raise the bar in the level and quality of our politics. This is our goal. This is our objective.  And this is our immediate next course of action.”

The party spokesperson castigated the ruling party for incompetence in presiding over the affairs of the nation, noting that the APC has crippled the economy in its two years in office.

She added: “Their failed promises and devastating policy decisions have crippled the national economy and impoverished the average Nigerian.

“Their shameful performance in government calls for the rise of a new party built on a commitment to responsible leadership and tireless conviction to improving the livelihoods of all Nigerians.”

Hogan pointed out: “Whilst the APC has been touting the war on corruption as one of its major achievements, it is very clear how lopsided the war has been.

“Anyone who opposes them seems to get roped into a case with EFCC.

“Of course, there is the constant flouting of the rule of law whilst those with the biggest cases to answer in APC are given juicy portfolios as ministers or are godfathers in their party.

“In one instance, the SGF has been indicted by the Senate for awards of contracts to ghost companies by the Federal Government committee on the North East.

“Another instance is the recent discovery of $43.4m in cash allegedly belonging to NIA at a luxurious apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi by EFCC.

“Despite the assurances and all the brouhaha by the APC led government that the issue will be thoroughly investigated and a report submitted two weeks later, it is now more than a month later and Nigerians are left in limbo as usual with no report.”