Recover stolen funds, UPP tells Gen. Buhari

The National Chairman of the United Progressives Party, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to recover looted public funds to kick-start the economy.

Okorie also asked the incoming administration to declare a state of emergency in the power sector.

The opposition leader made the call when he led a delegation of the party’s executive on a courtesy visit to Buhari at the Defence House, Abuja, on Monday.



He urged Buhari to “spare no effort to recover all recoverables of our common patrimony in private hands whether in Nigeria or abroad which has been illegally or illegitimately acquired.

“The UPP shall join in the vanguard to mobilise public support for you in this effort. We are convinced that recovering as little as 25 per cent of our common wealth in private hands will go a long way in assisting you to fulfill most of your campaign promises to the Nigerian people and to the glory of God.”

On the issue of the power sector, he said, “The sector was fundamental and key to the successful delivery of the change agenda to the people.

“We urge you to declare a state of emergency in the power sector as soon as you are sworn into office. This sector is key to the successful delivery of your agenda for the Nigerian people.”

He promised that the UPP was prepared to play the role of a vibrant opposition party that would keep the incoming administration on its toes.

Okorie pledged that the party’s opposition would be characterised by constructive engagement rather than public posturing in the political arena with a view to scoring cheap political points.