Group knocks Atiku over ‘thieves’ comment, cites corruption controversies
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Group knocks Atiku over ‘thieves’ comment, cites corruption controversies
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Democratic Front, TDF has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent claim that he is contesting the 2027 presidential election alongside thieves as improper and an insult to Nigerians.
The group said the former vice president lacked the moral standing to make such a sweeping allegation against his political opponents, citing past controversies in which his name featured.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, the TDF said many Nigerians would find Atiku’s claim laughable.
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The group said its review of past corruption-related reports showed that the former vice president had himself been repeatedly mentioned in controversies over the years.
It cited former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s account in his book, My Watch, concerning Atiku’s retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service.
The TDF also raised questions over Atiku’s tenure as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation during the Obasanjo administration.
According to the group, major national companies and enterprises built with public funds were allegedly undervalued and sold at questionable rates during the privatisation exercise.
It said Obasanjo and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, had, in separate accounts, criticised the privatisation process under Atiku’s leadership.
The group said, “Till date, Atiku is yet to explain to Nigerians how major national companies and enterprise, built with huge public funds were under-valued and sold at low questionable rates.”
The TDF also recalled the controversy surrounding former United States Congressman William Jefferson, whose name became linked to an international bribery investigation in 2005.
It said Atiku’s name featured in statements relating to Jefferson’s business dealings with Nigeria, Cameroon and Angola, while acknowledging that no charges were brought against the former vice president.
The group further referred to the 2006 allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Atiku over alleged diversion of funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund to private companies allegedly linked to him.
It noted that the former vice president subsequently secured a favourable court judgment in relation to the EFCC indictment.
The TDF argued that the controversies surrounding Atiku made his recent accusation against other presidential contenders inappropriate.
“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s excessive feature in controversial corruption reports is overwhelming and worrisome. It is not befitting of a person seeking to be elected President of Nigeria,” the group said.
It added, “This is why TDF is surprised that the former Vice President had the courage to throw stones from a glass house by referring to his fellow contestants in the forthcoming general elections as thieves.”
The group stressed that it was not accusing Atiku of being guilty of the allegations it cited.
It, however, argued that the former vice president would need to address what it described as lingering public doubts over his record before accusing others of corruption.
“We are not accusing Atiku of being complicit in any of the aforementioned corruption reports, but we are of the view that Atiku Abubakar does not have the moral right to call anyone a thief until he is able to erase the thick cloud of public skepticism and distrust around his image and personal integrity,” the group added.
