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Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • Former Vice President Atiku ‘s son remanded

    Former Vice President Atiku ‘s son remanded

    For disobeying a court order, Aminu, the son of a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was on Wednesday remanded in the transit cell of Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Aminu was alleged to have disobeyed an order made by Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye on October 11 over the custody of six-year-old Amir Abubakar, who he was alleged to have taken away from the custody of his estranged wife, Fatimo Bolori.

    Ayeye had earlier ordered the respondent in the suit marked FCL/29/2017, between U. F.  Bolori Vs M. A. Abubakar to produce  Amir Abubakar at the first hearing of the case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when the case came up on Wednesday for the discharge of “Emergency, Evacuation/Protection Order” made by the court, the court was informed that the parties were planning to settle out of court.

    In response, Bolori’s lawyer, Mr Nwabuzor Okoh, denied receiving any notification from the respondent to settle out of court.

    Consequently, Chief Magistrate Ayeye cited Atiku for contempt for disobeying court order issued on Oct.  11.

    She ordered that the respondent should be remanded in transit cell and the case stood down pending when he would produce the boy.

    NAN also learnt that both Fatimo and Aminu had divorced in 2011.

    The children were living with their mother, Fatimo, with an arrangement that they should be allowed to spend their vacation with their father.

    However,  when the children were on holidays in 2013, Aminu requested that they should be released to him to travel abroad for vacation and thereafter, refused to let them return to their mother.

  • Intels closed to frustrate Atiku’s presidential ambition – APC chief

    Intels closed to frustrate Atiku’s presidential ambition – APC chief

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank said on Monday that recent closures of Intels belonging to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was a deliberate attempt by agencies of government to intimidate and truncate his perceived ambition to contest the 2019 Presidential elections.

    Frank who is also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party said if the Federal Inland Revenue Services, Nigeria Port Authority and Free Trade Zone authority just realized that Intels has not been paying its tax, it goes to show that those who manage the agencies were not fit to preside over such Organisations as they have failed to discharge their duty diligently.

    In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja, Frank said in carrying out their responsibilities, government agencies should realize that governance should not be reduced to a tool for witch hunting perceived political enemies, adding that the closure of the company was an act of intimidation coming from agents of the present government.

    While asking government agencies to learn to follow due process in their dealings, Frank said those saddled with the responsibility of running government agencies should learn to tread carefully as the nation strive for a better country and democracy.

    He said: “This is not the time to play politics with the issues of governance. Could it be another ploy to weaken Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ahead of his perceived ambition for 2019?

    “The good news is that no matter what these agencies of government do, the prerogative and his decision to run for presidency come 2019 is his fundamental right and rightly so if he so desires.

    “Nigeria, as it is today, has a lot going on and this latest brazen acts by government agencies is the least on the minds of Nigerians. We encourage government agencies to do their work but also take note that governance should not be reduced as a tool to witch hunting individuals, by playing petty politics.

    “I see this as an intimidation coming from agencies of the government of the day on an innocent Nigerian. Atiku Abubakar has paid his dues for the party in particular and the country as a whole.

    “We must not be cowed by these agencies of government who wants to turn themselves to political actors to gain favour from the government of the day. Today is Atiku, tomorrow it can be any other person and for this purpose, we must all stand against this impunity.

    “How come FIRS just realized the non-payment of tax by intels? The export free zone just realized that intels are operating illegally. If the agencies just realized all these, it means they have shown total failure in discharging their duties.

    “Let’s learn to follow due process. Let’s all tread carefully as we strive for a better country and democracy. My thoughts are that some political leaders who are afraid of his profile are hell-bent on truncating his perceived ambition are behind all these.

    “I want to believe that the presidency is not aware of this overbearing and overzealousness on the part of these government agencies. By this, I plead with the presidency to promptly intervene on this matter appropriately in due course before it gets late.

    “The act of the FIRS, NPA, and FTZ as agencies of government is and can be seen to be a calculated attempt to humiliate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. It is pertinent to note that in the history, since the establishment of Intels, no Central Government has ever brazenly persecuted ‘Intels’ like this present Government.

    “Nigerians must rise up to any attempt of vilifying any individual in the guise of the overzealousness of government agencies.”

  • Kinsmen, others fete Atiku

    Kinsmen, others fete Atiku

    Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja was filled to the rafters with indigenes of Adamawa State living in Abuja who came to honour their illustrious kinsman, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. They were led by Governor Bindo Jibrilla.

    The Adamawa indigenes under the aegis of Adamawa Community Association (ACA), Abuja, together with friends, feted Atiku, who was elevated from Turakin Adamawa in June to Wazirin Adamawa by His Royal Highness (HRH) Muhammadu Aliyu Mustapha.

    Those at the reception included former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba, former House of Representatives Leader, Muhammed Kumaila,  Senator Binta Garba, Senator Grace Bent and husband Jackson, former Ministers, Hassan Adamu, Dauda Brima and Idi Hong. Among several others are Prof Adamu Modibo, the secretary to the State Government Buba Bindir and other cabinet members.

    Royal fathers were led by the Lamido of Mubi, Alhaji  Isa Ahmadu, who represented Lamidon Adamawa.

    Serving members of the federal and state legislatures led by members of House of Representatives Abdulrazaq Namdas, Sadiq Ibrahim and a host of close associates ushered in the former Vice President, who wore a sky-blue babanriga and white turban.

    Abubakar’s entrance kicked off the event in earnest with a welcome speech by ACA President, a former Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Bello Sali, who said he had to be celebrated by Adamawa community in Abuja being a pillar of support, not only to the ACA but to Adamawa State in general.

    He noted that the association was non-partisan, adding that the reception would have held immediately after being conferred with the title but for unavoidable postponements. He urged citizens of the state to emulate local empowerment initiatives of the former Vice President by setting up their businesses in the state.

    Entertainment at the packed hall followed with performances by a local artiste and a Senegalese performer after which goodwill messages were read by the state governor Jibrilla.

    Speaking in Hausa, the governor urged citizens of the state to consider the development of the state as a collective task that must be accomplished.

    The conferment of the Turakin Adamawa on Abubakar was due to hard work, while the elevation to the position of Waziri was merited due to more hard work, he added.

    Hon Abu Zahri, who  represented FCT Minister wished Abubakar long life, while the Lamido asserted that he is a worthy leader.

    “We are happy with him,” said the Lamido.

    Presentation of gifts by Senator  Binta Garba followed after which Abubabar appreciated the group’s gesture. He also said Adamawa should not be judged by the years of insurgency that ravaged parts of the state but by its contributions to the growth and preservation of the unity of the country as a whole.

    He reeled out a list of Adamawa indigenes that have excelled in various fields while serving the country in public and private sectors. He challenged any state in the country that has contributed more to the country than Adamawa. He urged the state to prioritise education. While he emphasised that he will continue to think of Adamawa first in his endeavours, Abubakar also advised the elites and industrialists from the state to look inward towards the development of the state.

    The former Vice President also used the opportunity to dispel rumours of a rift between him and the governor, saying there was no such thing.

    He said, “My elevation is a call to greater contribution, I will continue to contribute to state. We are to mentor the young ones and make them greater because we will be remembered by the people we lifted. Let us continue to help one another especially the younger ones to help grow the state. I urge our business men and women to invest in Adamawa and contribute to its growth, visit home regularly and set up your businesses there so that our people can benefit from the immense multiplier effect it will generate for our collective and individual economic growth. We should also not relent in our efforts until all displaced persons in camps return to their home and normal life.”

     

  • Atiku to Buhari: Treat minorities well

    Atiku to Buhari: Treat minorities well

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said Wednesday that Nigeria can show example to the world on how to treat minority groups by placing high priority to the treatment of its minorities and the way it treats them.

    Reacting to President Buhari’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, Atiku said that minorities all over the world deserve the cooperation of majority groups

    In a statement from his media office in Abuja, Atiku said President Buhari did the right thing by drawing the UN’s attention to the sufferings of Myanmar’s Rohingya people, cited by the UN as perhaps the world’s most persecuted minorities.

    He congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari on a successful outing at the 72nd Session of United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday the 19th of September, 2017.

    Atiku aligns with the President’s message of gratitude to the international community for their efforts in the Lake Chad region which has helped bring succor to Nigerians affected by the scourge of terrorism.

    “It is my sincere desire that arising from President Buhari’s speech, the UN will increase its support to Nigeria and her neighbors in the Lake Chad Region as we redouble our efforts to rid the region of the scourge of terrorism and restore peace and prosperity to a once thriving zone”, he said.

  • Prove allegations of corruption against me – Atiku to enemies

    Prove allegations of corruption against me – Atiku to enemies

    Former Vice President and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar on Monday asked his perceived political enemies and all those accusing him of corruption to prove their allegation against him or keep quit.

    A statement from his media office in Abuja quote the former Vice President as saying that it was unfortunate that Nigerian believe that nobody can be rich in the country without stealing government  money.

    The statement said that Atiku who was speaking while on a facility tour of an ultra modern printing press in Abuja said he did not become Nigeria’s Vice President in 1999 as a pauper, but as a rich man who has already made it big in business.

    The APC Chieftain also said that he would fight corruption like never before if he is given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the country, adding that “It is sickening to continue to regurgitate allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office.”

    He added that people who have no initiative, personal resourcefulness and ideas about wealth creation, always assume that a man cannot build himself without stealing.

    According to him, “People who are bereft of ideas about entrepreneurial spirit always think that everyone else is a thief just like them”, adding that it is morally offensive for people who despise honest labour to become judges in the courts of public opinion.

    The former Vice President said even though he has not been convicted of corruption by any court in the land or elsewhere, his political enemies have been parading a fake morality test to fool gullible Nigerians.

    “Despite previous desperate efforts to link me with corruption, the William Jefferson trial in the United States ended in 2009 without indicting me or linking me to corrupt activities,” he said.

    Atiku recalled that he pasted a reminder at his bed rest during his training as a Custom Officer that he (Atiku) would retire from any agency if he had not attained the headship of the place at the age of 40, adding that he was only able to attain the position of Deputy Director before his exit in 1989 to chart a career in business.

    He said he retired from the Customs Service with untainted record, and that if anybody has evidence that he stole a kobo at the Customs or during his tenure as vice president, such accusers should come forward or file a petition against him, pointing out that he did not become a Vice President in 1999 as a pauper because he has been a successful investor throughout his retirement life.

    “If Atiku is a thief merely because of his resourcefulness and successful investments, my political enemies should tell Nigerians the sources of their own stupendous wealth,” he added.

    While asking the management and staff of the company to manifest the values of honesty, hard work and diligence, attributes, he said stood him in good stead during his years as a public servant and entrepreneur, the former Vice President said he is well equipped to fight corruption because of his vast experiences both in the public and private sectors and his ability to build a team capable of accomplishing the task.

    “I will shock everyone because I believe that I will fight corruption like never before,” he said.

  • ‘Atiku fought Buhari tooth and nail’

    ‘Atiku fought Buhari tooth and nail’

    Ex-VP defends role 

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been attacked for saying he has been sidelined by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He helped Buhari to get into office and got nothing in return, he has been quoted as saying.

    Former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal, yesterday dismissed Atiku’s claim, saying the former Vice – President  did not campaign for President Buhari in 2015.

    Besides, he did not contribute “anything” to the campaign, he said.

    Lawal, a director on the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said Atiku remained bitter for losing the presidential ticket to Buhari.

    But the Atiku Media Office insisted that the former Vice-President did his best for the campaign after being sidelined initially.

    Lawal said: “We know that right from the time Buhari was sworn in, he started plotting to cause problem, to ensure that this administration does not succeed.

    “During the campaign, he granted an interview to BBC and said he was sure APC would not win the presidential election.

    “He was making preparations that if APC did not win, he will go back to PDP and get the ticket after ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s projected exit in 2019.

    “Immediately after the presidential primaries, Atiku left the country. He did not come back. All along, while we were prosecuting the presidential campaign, Atiku was not in Nigeria. He did not participate in the presidential campaign.

    “After the presidential election, he came to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and left the country. He is  complaining now  that he was not contacted.”

    Atiku has said that he was “used and dumped”.

    This, Lawal said Atiku was not right with his claim.

    He added: “I served as a Deputy Director at the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “ I knew all the intrigues. He fought Buhari tooth and nail. He was extremely unhappy about the loss of presidential primaries.

    “He did not campaign for Buhari during the election. He even refused to contribute any money. He  promised to campaign and to contribute to the campaign. He did not contribute anything meaningful.

    “ Let him say how much he spent. How much did he claim he spent? Is his money more important than his appearance at the campaign? He spent all the  money he thinks he has to ensure that Buhari did not win.

    “People are not foolish. He told the BBC in 2015 that he was sure that Buhari was not going to win. So, will somebody who did not believe in the party’s candidate spend anything?”

    He insisted that Buhari has been fair to Atiku.

    “And out of magnanimity, Buhari’s first outing from Abuja, after winning the election, was to attend Atiku’s daughter’s wedding.

    “There are many  Atiku loyalists in this government and he is saying that he has been sidelined.  She (Women Affairs Minister Aisha Alhassan) and other Atiku loyalists were given appointment because of him. They know themselves. And Atiku is saying nothing has been given to him. At least the principal appointment given to Atiku went to Aisha as the Minister of Women Affairs.

    “To be candid with you, Atiku started fighting Buhari since 2015. They just came out now because they were choked up; they did not get any reaction from him. They thought he was  going to start fighting, abusing and dealing mercilessly with the opposition in government.”

    On the comments of the Minister of Women Affairs, Lawal said she ought to have resigned her appointment.

    He said: “When Atiku was having problem with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, did any of his boys attack Obasanjo? Why is she doing it now? If there is any political saint in this country, Buhari is number one. If there are other saints, Buhari is the most pious political saint in Nigeria.

    “If she is the daughter of Atiku, as she is claiming; if she is Mama Taraba, as she claims to be, let her resign and go and work for Atiku. Atiku is free to contest; she is free to campaign for anybody.

    “As for the President, he knew when she gave Aisha appointment that she is a political ally of Atiku and we were  not surprised.

    “We are in government; we know about their machinations, meetings in order to discredit this government.  It started  after the primaries and shortly after   the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari. We know what they have been planning underground. Recently it choked them because the President refused to answer or react to all their mischiefs.”

    Spokesman of the Atiku Media Office Mr. Paul Ibe, said yesterday that in spite of  Atiku not accorded the respect he deserved, the former Vice President worked “harder for Buhari’s victory.”

    He said: “Lawal was not in the position to say that Atiku did not contribute to Buhari’s campaign. Those in the position knew what transpired. It is not the truth. I remember that I was a Deputy Director in the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “The ex-Vice President contributed his resources, time, counsel, and ideas, including the media resources which played a crucial role. Even after the election, when the media team met with the President, he acknowledged the role of the media unit.

    “After the election, Atiku Media Office became the temporary shelter for the presidential campaign media personnel.”

    He added: “Atiku was not accorded the respect he deserves  as a major stakeholder during the campaign.

    “He was not even aware of the campaign itinerary. If you didn’t invite a leader for campaign, will you expect him to be there?

    ”When they realised what was happening, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, went to the former Vice President who said he was being excluded and there was a promise that they would not sideline him.

    “By coincidence, we ( his aides) also went to meet with Atiku. We asked: ‘Are we to withdraw because you are being excluded,’ But Atiku told us: ‘You are on a historic national assignment; what you have started, you will finish.’

    “So, after the meeting with Amaechi, the ex-VP went full blast into the campaign. He said he did it in the best interest of Nigeria. It is not about Atiku; it is about Nigeria.

    “Everything Atiku said I stand by it.The ex-VP has not been plotting against this administration. He is a democrat who has been giving advice to make sure the government succeeds.”

  • Atiku: Buhari government sidelined me

    Atiku: Buhari government sidelined me

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Buhari’s government of sidelining him after helping it to power.

    Speaking on the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) on Wednesday, Atiku said: “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved.

    “But sadly, soon after the formation of government; I was side-lined, I have no any relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they are but three years down the lane, this is where we are.

     “Yes, there were successes but not comprehensive success because the Boko Haram miscreants are still very active, killing our people and many local government councils in Borno and Yobe are under their firm grip. People cannot dare go back to their dwellings

    “This thing baffles me; I never imagined that Nigeria will fight a protracted battle with Boko Haram for five years. At a time, we fought the Biafra war, which was more complicated because of the terrain in the South but the Biafran soldiers were roundly subdued in 30 months. But here we are, fighting an endless battle with the Boko Haram and there’s no end in sight”.

    On the anti-graft war, he said: “How many people were arrested, prosecuted and jailed? How much was recovered from the looters?

    “When we came on board in 1999, I remember we recovered between $4.5 and $4.7 billion from those that looted under (the late Gen. Sani) Abacha.”

  • Buhari, APC abandoned me after 2015 poll – Atiku

    Buhari, APC abandoned me after 2015 poll – Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) of abandoning him after helping the party to win the 2015 general election.

    This came after the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, publicly declared her support for Atiku’s presidential quest in 2019.

    The minister said she would support the ex- vice president even if President Buhari decides to seek re-election in 2019.

    Trending: Senate to Buhari: Call Sagay to order

    The foremer Vice President, in an interview on the Voice of America (VOA)’s Hausa Service, said he had been abandoned in spite of his efforts in making sure that the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

    Speaking from his home town in Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State after the Eid-El-Kabir festival, Abubakar said: “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved.

    Also: Senators earn N3billion per annum – Sagay

    “But sadly, soon after the formation of government; I was side-lined, I have no any relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they are but three years down the lane, this is where we are.”

    However, he applauded the president on the successes recorded so far in the fight against Boko Haram, but said it was not yet time to celebrate because a lot is yet to be done and “the ruling government had failed in many fronts.

    “Yes, there were successes but not comprehensive success because the Boko Haram miscreants are still very active, killing our people and many local government councils in Borno and Yobe are under their firm grip. People cannot dare go back to their dwellings,” he said.

  • Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain

    Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain

    • Wants Alhassan to resign

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, Preye Aganaba said on Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari remain the party’s best candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, asking the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan to resign her appointment as a minister in the Buhari cabinet.

    Aganaba who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abuja also asked Nigerians to ignore the quit notice issued by a coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to northerners and people from the south west to leave the region, describing them as attention seekers.

    Reacting to a statement credited to the Minister that she would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 Presidential election ahead of President Buhari, Aganaba said while the Minister has the eight to her opinion, it was expressed in the wrongly, saying “She has a right to her choice but I think she is not been fair. If she want to make such public statement as a serving Minister, she should resign her appointment.”

    Aganaba who expressed confidence in the Buhari government however wants the President to bring into his government those he described as capable hands who understand the ideal of change mantra which the party stand for anytime he plan to re-jig his cabinet.

    “So, I don’t think for now that the APC has any other choice that to re-elect President Buhari, though people are free to contest, nobody is stopping them, this is APC where we usually have free and fair primaries. The last Presidential primaries in Lagos, President Buhari won more than half of the votes.

    “During the last APC presidential primaries, the campaign slogan for Buhari was ’12 million assured votes’ and I don’t think one single vote has left that 12 million assured votes, in fact, more has even been added.

                      Related: Nothing Wrong with visit to Atiku – Alhassan

    “I am not bothered about the economy because that will be fixed, for me I’m looking at the politics of various zones because that will determine how much we win the election. To win we will win, but by what margin? These are my issues and then if we can also do well at National Assembly elections.

    “In government wise, I think we have done well. Yes, may

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

    be not where we suppose to be because we also did not know about what we met when we came in 2015 but we have done well. In few days ago we heard about the story of Nigeria exited recession, the prices of food stuff are coming down, in Abuja here where I live I get minimum of 20 hours of electricity and some days light doesn’t go off for five days and so on.

    “If President Buhari runs election today he is going to win. I don’t think the President is terminally ill, and like every other human being, people fall sick but the problem is because he is the President, is in government you begin to hear stories but he is back. I saw him yesterday he is looking very fresh, atleast he rested very well in Daura.”

                    Trending: Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    He also expressed confidence that the crisis rocking the various state chapters of the party will soon be resolved saying “they will be amicably resolve because whether you like it or not we are going into elections and we can not go into we ctions with a divided house. In 2013, I saw leaders of this party brought together a disfunctional system and we went into elections in 2015 and we won. So, I still believe in the ability of this party to do the same thing before 2019.”

    On the various agitations coming from the Niger Delta, he advised the government and Nigerians to ignore them, saying “most of these calls are political from people seeking relevance from government and for me I think they should be ignored because when they want to destroy pipeline nobody makes noise about it.”

  • Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, said on Thursday she stands by her remarks to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate in 2019.

    Alhassan had told the BBC Hausa Service that she would not support President Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to seek re-election in 2019.

    Speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday, the minister said she is not afraid of being sacked by President Buhari.

    Related: Nothing wrong in supporting Atiku – Alhassan

    She said: “No, I have no comment. What will I say now? I have said all in BBC Hausa Service. Get someone who speaks Hausa very well to translate it for you.”

    On her relationship with Buhari now, she added: “How will I know? I have not seen the President but I don’t think the President is a naive person.”

    Also: I am loyal to Buhari – Alhassan

    “God gives and God takes. That is all and I have said it all in Hausa. You know that there is an end to everything.”

    On Buhari supporters attacking her on social media, Alhassan said “let the will of God be done.”