The All Progressives Congress, APC, in the South East has urged the National Assembly not to play politics with the controversial Lagos-Calabar rail project because it says it will improve the economy of the country as a whole.
Spokesman of the party in the region, Osita Okechukwu, who addressed newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, also stated that it would be wrong for President Muhammadu Buhari to interfere in the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the tribunal.
He pointed out that the budgetary controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar rail project is because of 2019.
According to him, those opposing the project are doing so because of their political calculations for 2019, when Nigerians elect their new leaders at the polls.
Okechukwu told journalists at the national secretariat of the APC that, “For the avoidance of doubt, we of the South East zone of APC do not subscribe to the insinuation that those opposed to the project are afraid of the political gains Mr President will make in the South East and South South.
“They allege that if the project sails, coupled with his success on the war against corruption and containment of insurgency, he will be unstoppable. Hence, the fear that the two zones may support him in 2019, given the political value of the project.”
He appealed to the National Assembly to reason that “The welfare and prosperity of Nigerians far outweighs political gains. To erase this ungodly insinuation, we once more appeal to the National Assembly not to be caught in the political cross-fire.”
He begged both parties involved in the matter to stop the “blame game” and let “the project be,” stressing that, “The controversy over the project is uncalled for and an ill-wind which blows no one good.”
Okechukwu said, “Our appeal is anchored on the truism of millions of employment opportunities and economic prosperity which the project will engender.”
According to him, “We need projects like the Lagos-Calabar rail to create massive employment and revamp the economy. More so, when the reality is that both the executive and legislative arms are on the same page on the project, then it is of urgent national importance.
“We also understand that the Lagos-Calabar Project is in the China-Shopping List of President Muhammadu Buhari, for Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal.
“This being the case, what kind of message are those opposed to the project in the National Assembly sending to the Chinese government if they continue to bicker over mundane procedure? Is it sabotage?”
