In furtherance of efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve the rift between the Executive and the National Assembly, the party has urged all government appointees to stop making statements that may further worsen the relationship between the two arms of government and derail the Party’s effort to make peace.

Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said: “Specifically, the party urges Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), to exercise restraint and desist from making utterances that may be misconstrued as an attack on the institution of the National Assembly.

The party said it acknowledges the fatherly role being played by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve outstanding issues with the National Assembly, by setting up a high-level committee led by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

“We believe the comments attributed to Prof. Sagay are uncalled for, regrettable and could further complicate the relationship between these vital arms of government.

“Our expectation would be that as a Law Professor of repute, Prof. Sagay would appreciate the need to not denigrate the institutions of democracy, be it the Executive, Legislature or Judiciary.

“Moreover, as an appointee of Mr. President, we should expect the learned Professor to key into his principal's temper and help him to make friends that would make his job easier and not make enemies of people who, by virtue of the position they occupy under our law, are critical to the running of government and the nurturing of our democracy.”

According to the statement, APC specifically objects to the Professor's call on the Senate to withdraw invitation extended to him.

“As someone appointed by our government, we find this kind of posturing unacceptable and potentially injurious to the peace efforts by the party.

“The party wishes to reiterate its earlier position admonishing all elected or appointed officials of our government to desist from utterances that may endanger efforts to build harmonious relationship between the two arms of government. Prof. Sagay should not operate outside this admonition.”

APC expressed happiness with the meeting it had with the Senate Caucus on Tuesday and is confident that all the issues raised will be addressed. It also urges the National Assembly to further intensify its efforts to ensure timely passage of the 2017 National Budget.

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