The senator representing Edo South Senatorial district in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Matthew Urhoghide, has stated President Muhammadu Buhari's stance that he will run a government of saints is impossible.
Urhoghide, a former publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, before he won election into the senate under the platform of the PDP, made the comment in a chat with Vanguard.
As stated by him, the PDP is desperate to win the Edo State gubernatorial election, which is billed for next year, when the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomole will be winding down.
“We are desperate in the sense that we are going to do everything legitimate and within the rules of the game to win the election,” he stated.
Political analysts in Edo State are predicting that Urhoghide will contest for the governorship position next year, since his party has zoned the ticket to his senatorial zone.
Reacting to the allegations of forgery of the senate standing rules on his party man and deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, Urhoghide said:“It is very derogatory to accuse senators of forging the standing rules. It also calls into question the integrity of the Senate.”
“The business and procedures of doing things are clearly stated. By the constitution, the Senate has the power to decide what it wants to do. There is no other body that can interfere in the affairs of the Senate. So, if you are going to the police or the SSS to look at what we are doing, it then means you have not properly looked at the necessary laws and statutes. I believe ethics and privileges committee will look at it.”
He went on to blast the Buharil administration over its delay in forming a government.
He continued, “What is more annoying is that they are trying to rationalize this ineptitude rather than apologizing to Nigerians that they have not been able to do certain things because they didn’t have a proper grasp of the workings of government. It is better to say we are understudying government in order to take off.
“By March 29, 2015, Mr. President knew he had won the election. He also knew that there was not going to be any legal tussle as the erstwhile president had capitulated to him completely. So, if after more than four months and he is still telling us that he will submit the list of ministers and make other appointments by September, I’m afraid a lot is wrong. That is six months, 180 days.”
On the seeming stance of the president to look for saints to run the government with him, the senator said: “They keep saying that they are taking their time when the president knew that he would take oath of allegiance two months before he was sworn-in. What are you planning? Are you waiting for angels to descend from heaven before you can draw a list of ministers? Are you going to solve the problems of Nigeria in one day? Are you looking for people you think are too saintly that you want to appoint as secretary to the government or as chief of staff or ministers?”