TDF Faults Atiku’s ‘Thieves’ Remark, Cites His Frequent Mention In Corruption Report
By Sunday Etuka
The Democratic Front (TDF) has described recent claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he was contesting elections against thieves as improper and an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, the group said many Nigerians would find the claim laughable, arguing that no former public officer in Nigeria’s recent history has been mentioned as frequently as Atiku Abubakar in major corruption-related reports.
The group referenced volume two of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s book, “My Watch,” in which Obasanjo recounted how former President Ibrahim Babangida informed him about circumstances linking Atiku’s retirement from the Nigerian Customs Service to official corruption.
TDF also recalled that as sitting Vice President, Atiku chaired the National Council on Privatization, overseeing what it described as one of the most controversial privatization exercises in the country’s history, and said he was yet to explain how major national enterprises built with public funds were undervalued and sold at questionable rates.
The group noted that both Obasanjo and Malam Nasir El-Rufai had, in separate accounts in their books, criticised the privatization exercise under Atiku’s leadership as marked by monumental corruption.
TDF further recalled two other scandals in which the former Vice President’s name featured prominently.
It cited the 2005 bribery scandal involving American Congressman William Jefferson, who claimed to be doing business with the governments of Nigeria, Cameroon and Angola.
Although no charges were brought against Atiku, the group noted that his name featured prominently in Jefferson’s statements before the Congressman was later investigated, prosecuted and sentenced to 13 years in prison.
It also pointed to Atiku’s 2006 indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged diversion of funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund to private companies linked to him, an indictment that nearly ended his political career.
TDF noted that while Atiku secured a favourable court judgment in the case, it remains widely believed the EFCC would have won had the judgment been appealed at a higher court.
The group described Atiku’s repeated appearance in controversial corruption reports as overwhelming and unbefitting of someone seeking the presidency, saying it was surprising that he would refer to his fellow contestants as thieves.
TDF clarified that it was not accusing Atiku of complicity in any of the cited reports, but maintained that he lacks the moral standing to call anyone a thief until he clears the cloud of public skepticism surrounding his own integrity.
