All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed the planned arraignment today of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mr Walter Onnoghen and accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being sympathetic to corruption for calling against the plan.

Onnoghen is set to be arraigned by Code of Conduct Bureau at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a six-count charge of alleged false asset declaration. The development followed a petition to CCB by a group, Anti-corruption and Research-based Data Initiative (ARDI).

APC spoke for the first time on the development through a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, saying the swift reaction by PDP exposed the opposition party as one with a natural inclination to rise up in defence of cases of alleged corruption.

It said it expected PDP to call for impartial investigations when corruption cases are levelled against public officers, but “spinning falsehoods and conspiracies” remains the opposition party’s favourite past time.

The ruling party dismissed as baseless allegation that the move against Onnoghen is a plot to rig the election and urged Nigerians to disregarded such allegations, as APC is committed to ensuring a free and fair election.

“PDP’s baseless conspiracy theory on APC’s participation in 2019 general elections should hereby be disregarded. We remain solidly committed to ensuring that forthcoming elections go on record as one of the freest, most credible and peaceful elections in the country.”

It emphasised that the fight against corruption remains a cardinal promise by APC to the electorate.

The party assured that the Buhari administration remains uncompromising in its determination to rid the country of corruption and will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute any public officer if and when such is indicted for corruption.

PT