Beware of Sycophants, HDP Warns Buhari

Tobi Soniyi Hope Democratic Party (HDP) has called on the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to beware of professional praise-singers and lobbyists whose aim is to secure undeserved appointments in the incoming government.

While calling on Buhari to form an all-inclusive unity government for the next dispensation in order to make the wind of change blow positive economic and political advancement to the Nigerian citizens, the party advised him to beware of those who wrecked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

HDP, which made the call in Abuja yesterday, asked the president-elect and APC to learn from the fall of the PDP after 16 years in the saddle by ensuring that only those with burning desire to serve the nation were given appointments.

The party made the call in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Usman Sani.

HDP, which contested the presidential election with other political parties on March 28, alleged that PDP derailed in government when it decided to reward men of easy virtue, unprincipled and institutionalised sycophants with juicy appointments at the expense of merit.

The party claimed that the qualifications of most people that derailed PDP were their ability to change party, loyalty and engage in mischief against the opposition and warned that such people should be avoided in the new government.

The party said: “There is no doubt that Buhari’s victory is the triumph of principled and consistent opposition. His now legendary resilience which robbed off on the larger opposition class, most of whom also deserve mention and inclusion in the long hard journey to unseat the ruling party in the face of derision must be noticed.

“It is important that the danger posed by this class of praise singers and unprincipled people in our polity are identified and checked by Buhari and APC before they deceive all of Nigerians again as they have done since 1999 and took over government when the principled opposition class and civil liberties organisations chased away the military from the corridors of power.”

HDP said the new leadership should not be outsmarted by the ever sweet-talking and praise singing sycophantic band who only resurfaced soon after every elections and change position with ease so as to reposition themselves.

According to the party, Buhari’s greatest achievement will be his ability to seek out principled and dedicated Nigerians who share in his vision of anti-corruption and of change for a new Nigeria.

The party said: “As new turn in government as desired in Nigeria must be run by principled and consistent personalities of known abilities to effect the much anticipated change in governance and aspirations of our people.

“The victorious general should also engage well known tested and trusted retired military and judicial personalities to man key institutions to guide the change in our ways of government and governance.

“Nigerians and the world are looking forward to the desired and hard fought change which the general now symbolises.”