A socio-political group, Democrats for Justice, Equity and Fairness (DJEF) has accused certain interests in the National Assembly of plots to discredit the person of the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
DJEF, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Dr John Hassan, said it was beyond coincidence that a wave of media attacks was hauled at the former governor at the same time a joint account committee of the National Assembly was created to investigate projects appropriated for and legislatively passed by the State House of Assembly.
Hassan, who questioned the intention of the National Assembly committee, alleged the purported investigation smacked of a predetermined scheme against perceived enemies of some high placed persons in the National Assembly.
He said “There are devious plots being hatched by certain interests in the National Assembly to rubbish the achievements of Emmanuel as governor and bring his personality to a public odium.”
The group further noted that those behind these callous schemes have hired nebulous groups to write frivolous petitions to anti-corruption bodies, making unfounded allegations Emmanuel.
It described the investigation by the said National Assembly committee as an “unconstitutional scheme fraudulently designed and tailored as a witch-hunt to achieve a pre-determined result against perceived enemies of some high placed persons in the National Assembly.
“For the record, the Emmanuel Administration left behind audited accounts of every money spent, on every single projects, ministry by ministry, in fully bounded formats for emphasis and reference purposes,” the DJEF further stated.
According to the group, “This illegitimate pattern of using the privileges of office to engage in personal squabbles with perceived enemies is totally undemocratic and constitutes an abuse of office.
“At this critical time in our national history, the National Assembly ought to lead a course of action that will prosper our nation and not being used to harrass, intimidate and discredit innocent Nigerians.”
The group cautioned against such and urged the National Assembly not to allow itself to be used as instruments of intimidation against Nigerians, especially individuals that have meritoriously served the nation in various capacities.
