Lai Mohammed Defends Amaechi on Leaked Audio Clips, Blames PDP
• Insists President has power to extend IG’s tenure
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Tuesday defended the Transport Minister, Hon Rotimi Amaechi over the leaked audio clips in which he criticised President Mohammed Buhari for not taking advice or reading to acquire information.
The audio clip also showed Amaechi lamenting that Nigerians were suffering as a result of economic hardship.
The audio clip was shared recently by a media practitioner, Reno Omokri.
But in defence , Mohammed said the clips were designed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to take away the current campaign from issue-based to that of mudslinging.
The Minister said that the PDP was simply wasting time by circulating such video clips, describing it as blackmail.
He told newsmen in Abuja, “What is the point in shopping around for audio clips or publications that are then maliciously edited out of context? Why do they think this will break our ranks in the ruling party? What advantage do they think they can get from this infantile act? Whoever wants to circulate any audio or video clip should do so in its entirety so that the people can understand the context, otherwise, let them continue wasting their time.”
The Minister also said that the President has the power to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, who is supposed to have retired after 35 years of service.
He said, “President Obasanjo, in his time, extended the tenure of Mr. Sunday Ehindero as IG. Was there no opposition party then? Also, in his time, President Yar’Ardua extended the tenure of Mr. Mike Okiro as IG, heavens didn’t fall. I have read that some opposition parties are planning a series of nationwide protests on the issue of IG’s tenure. That’s purely within their right in a democracy. And I wish them the best of luck.”
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