Why PDP shivers over CAMA, other good governance laws – BMO speaks

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

Recent comments by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus, condemning the recently amended Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) signpost the party’s indignation for any reforms or laws that seek to promote accountability and transparency, the Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has said.

The group made this known in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, where it described the PDP Chairman’s condemnation as spurious, suspicious and unfortunate.

“The condemnation of the amended CAMA by the Chairman of the PDP is suspicious. It reveals the thinking of the party when matters of fraud, misconduct and mismanagement are brought up to be dealt with. For a party known for its unbridled pilfering of state resources when it held sway in government at the centre, this is not surprising to us.

“Over 90% of money looted from the Nigerian treasury and now being recovered by the President Buhari administration were traced to members of the PDP or persons who had direct or indirect links to the party.

“Thus, it should not really come as a surprise when PDP elements begin to fret that a new law signed would allow powers to the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to regulate Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Religious Bodies in the event there is misconduct, mismanagement or fraud in the carrying out of their duties.

“Anyone who values open governance, transparency and accountability would be proud of this legislation — which is similar to companies and related matters laws in several countries around the world.”

The group stated that the PDP was not afraid of the new provisions in the Company and Allied Matters Act, but it is afraid of accountability and transparency, two characters PDP and its membership lack.

“If we recall, this same party Chairman, who oversees the management of the People’s Democratic Party, was only a few months ago accused of mismanaging over N6.8 Billion Naira raised from the sale of forms to candidates in the party. Not long after, the party fell into bankruptcy. It was so bad that it laid off 50% of its staff.

“If CAMA governed the management of political parties, the PDP would have been stripped of its management by now, due to the heavy mismanagement that its leaders like Uche Secondus are perpetrating on the party”.

The Buhari Media Organization stated that the PDP Chairman was fond of speaking without thinking, hence the making of such condemnation of laws that are critical for national development.

“Anyone in their right senses would appreciate the newly signed CAMA and the much-needed reforms it is bringing to the management of our non-governmental institutions. But Uche Secondus, one who is wont to abandon reason when discussing matters of critical importance, is here condemning the same thing reasonable Nigerians are praising”, the statement added.