APC’s directive on budget, assault on the people – Group

The call by the All Progressives Congress to its legislators to block the passage of all executive bills, especially the budget, ministerial nominees and service chiefs, has been described as an assault on the Nigerian people.
The Tax Payers Association of Nigeria, which made the statement in Abuja on Sunday, also urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to be cowed by any nation or group on the anti-gay law.
In the statement signed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of TAPAN, Val Nzekwe, and the President, Phillip Ilukhulo, the association maintained that to block the budget because of the local crisis in Rivers State was taking the role of opposition to the extreme.
According to TAPAN: “We aware in a true federalism the opposition has the right to differ on issues, including the content of the budget, but to say because Governor Rotimi Amaechi has some issues with the state bolice boss, we should block the budget is absurd and unfortunate.
“If the opposition has issues with the content of the budget or they are not satisfied with the President’s nominees, they have the right to disagree but not on a local issue that has no bearing on the budget.
“If you block the budget and stop service chiefs and new ministers, what purpose would it serve?
“How would the state function?
“What happens to sectors like health and education?
“What about the wages of the federal workers?”
On the anti gay law, TAPAN said: “We should not allow western nations or groups to force some alien culture on us.
“Same sex marriage has no place in our culture.
“President must stand firm.”