Rage In PDP Over Failure To Constitute FG Boards

[Shola Sholaz]

Stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are angry over the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute boards of parastatals and agencies of the Federal Government 17 months after the boards were dissolved.
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The angst of party members is further fueled by allegations that the failure to reconstitute the boards is at the instance of some senior Presidency officials who are benefiting from the vacuum.
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In the absence of the boards, senior officials in the Presidency are alleged to be wielding influence over government agencies and boards drawing and dispensing patronage and contracts at will.
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Reacting to the development, yesterday, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN described the absence of the boards as a further reflection of what it described as the lacklustre attitude of the Jonathan administration to governance. The party which spoke through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also faulted what it described as the administration's failure to appoint substantive heads for a number of federal agencies.
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The PDP in a riposte said the boards would be announced this week even as it reassured that the process was delayed for the purpose of ensuring due diligence in the reconstitution. The party said that the PDP was mindful of empowering its people legitimately through board appointments unlike its opponents who restrict patronages to a handful.