Fireworks between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over the claims of former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu that he was invited by President Barack Obama to attend the convention of the US Democratic Party continued yesterday as the PDP asked ACN to apologize to Nigerians for taking them for a ride.
In a statement by the PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party advised ACN to rise above roadside sophistry and accept that the party and its national leader traded on fraudulent claims when they lied to Nigerians that Tinubu was sent a gold card invitation by the Democratic Party of the United States to attend its recent national convention.
Reacting to a statement by the ACN national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that Tinubu did not err when he claimed he was given gold card to attend the convention, PDP challenged ACN to deny reports that its national leader actually paid $5000 to purchase an invitation card.
The PDP also advised the ACN to apologise to Nigerians for embarrassing the nation and for briging them to ridicule before a foreign political party.
PDP said: “The ACN tried to force its dish of lies down the throat of Nigerians on the imaginary international exposure and connection of its national leader. This attempt by the party to ingeniously tap from the credibility of an American political institution through a spurious claim backfired.
“The Democratic Party Convention officials would have none of that and wasted no time in denying the ACN and Tinubu. The implication of this on the image of Nigeria and on the pride of our good people is wantonly damaging.”
“However, this matter will become clearer if one ponders the following questions and their answers: Did Bola Tinubu receive an invitation or did he buy it at $5000? He bought it; did the Democratic Party send him an invitation as the leader of the opposition in Nigeria? The answer is a resounding No as nothing to that effect exists in the records of the Democratic Convention.”
He added: “When the ACN spokesman attacked the PDP on the issues of integrity and relevance in his statement, he clearly forgot that such sensitive matters often revolt at the consistent knockings of history. Who should talk of integrity; the PDP, the ACN or its national leader? We leave Nigerians to judge.
“Lest we forget however, the ACN is evangelising on integrity when the state of origin of its national leader is still shrouded in controversy and when his academic records, to use the common Nigerian lingo, is traceable to “Toronto”.
“The ACN is moralising on integrity when Lagosians are groaning under its leader’s insatiable greed, with his companies in almost every business pie; collecting shylock taxes on mind-bugling commissions; indeed, when he is either the owner, buyer or agent of every choice property in Lagos. Where is integrity?” He asked.
- National Mirror