The Legacy Movement (TLM) a political pressure group has warned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against playing down the menaces of corruption during presidential campaigns. The pressure group, insisted that the “economy, corruption and rule of law” are critical three issues in the 2019 presidential elections. In a signed statement issued at the weekend by TLM President, Johnson Kayode, he said: “This group condemned the attempt by a section of the PDP to joke and play with corruption issues,” warning that Nigerians are watching the body language of the opposition party on the issue of corruption and its effect on country’s economy. According to Kayode; “Corruption is a major issue in this campaign. We should not delude ourselves to think Nigerians have gone to sleep. They are watching the PDP closely. “We must show the citizenry why they must vote for us. We must prove to the public that we abhor corruption in all its manifestations. If leaders of PDP think corruption are not an issue, defeat may be waiting for the party at the polls.” While affirming that Nigerians; are yearning for change, Kayode stated that recent developments within the PDP is worrisome, citing what he described as; “open embrace and celebration of politicians genuinely indicted to the tune of billions of naira. Continuing, he said: “Several top PDP leaders face corruption trials which are real and not framed up. The public have access to all the papers. They know allegations that are false and those that are real. The PDP is celebrating those with real corruption cases. “It is a very risky venture. For example, why will the party appoint a politician like Ayo Fayose to head campaign for this very enlightened Yoruba people? Are there no other credible hands who could occupy that position? “We also notice that in national discourse, PDP is failing to actually position itself as the party that can enforce anti-corruption laws and ensure that public fund actually goes for national development. “The focus has been to deride APC as embracing corruption or corrupt elements. PDP must campaign on her strength as the party best positioned to fight and tame corruption. “The party must stop corrupt people from speaking for it. Let those with corruption cases take a back seat and let the leadership present new faces without baggage. “The best way to sell the party as an alternative to the APC is to articulate fresh anti-corruption policies and agenda. This can be done alongside submissions on loopholes in the current strategies while listing what will be done differently. Enough of stupid comparison of ‘you are more corrupt than us’. “The focus is beyond Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. It is about how the party itself is addressing corruption as a societal menace. “Even if it is true that APC is corrupt or is embracing corrupt element, it is not a sufficient ground for the PDP not to face the menace as a challenge. The PDP must break with her past by forcing corrupt officials to take back seat,” noted the group.”
