PDP takes jibe on APC over 2018 budget

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has viewed President Muhammadu Buhari’s submission that the 2018 budget would be “near un-implementable” as a clear admission that the President lacks the capacity and competence to run a development-oriented economy as desired by Nigerians.

According to the party, Nigerians and the business community worldwide were stunned by the President’s assertion while signing the budget.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said President Buhari exhibited unpardonable ignorance of the dynamics of international best practices in macro-economic management, adding that it was an indication that the economy was in very bad hands.

The statement said: “President Buhari, in picking holes on items that would directly impact on economic productivity, infrastructural advancement, rural development as well as those that would provide urgent palliatives to the plights of Nigerians, showed his aversion to developmental economy as well as insensitivity to the welfare of our citizens.

“In fact, President Buhari, in his comments on the budget has further de-marketed our economy before international investors, thereby worsening our woes as a nation.

“How on earth can a President, if indeed he loves the people, quarrel over budgetary items seeking to cushion the biting effects of the economic recession, particularly for the poor, who are the direct victims of the harsh policies of his incompetent administration?

“Furthermore, President Buhari’s resort to blaming the National Assembly for his inability to exert himself as a leader and ensure smooth implementation of the budget, further shows that he cares little about the actual needs of the people, having holed himself in the comfort, security and pleasures of the Presidential Villa.”

The PDP urged the National Assembly to ensure strict implementation of the 2018 budget.