The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

  • EFCC seizes Atiku’s son-in-law’s passport

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s son-in-law’s Abdullahi Babalele’s passport has been seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He is under investigation for alleged laundering of 150million Euro.

    Babalele was released on bail yesterday after undergoing interrogation for about 72 hours.

    He is being investigated alongside Mr. Uyi Giwa-Osagie (an associate of Atiku) who had earlier been arrested by detectives.

    But the anti-graft agency held on to Uyi as at press time because “investigation is still in progress”.

    About €67, 950,000 of the 150m Euro has been traced to the accounts of Osagie, Babalele, two slush firms and two Bureau De Change operators.

    Of the € 67.9m, Uyi’s account received 26,050,00million Euro between January 9th and 28th, 2019. Babalele is expected to account for 41,900,000 Euro.

    An EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Atiku’s son-in-law has been granted bail but with some conditions, including the seizure of his international passport. The high-level investigation on cash-for-poll allegation requires that we should restrict his movement to the country.

    “These conditions will subsist until the ongoing probe is completed.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Mr. Uyi Giwa-Osagie, who is an associate of Atiku, is still being detained in Lagos. I cannot tell you when he will be released.

    “But we have granted bail to a former Minister of Special Duties, Alh. Tanimu Turaki.”

    The EFCC released more details of transactions involving Osagie.

    A document said: ”On receipt of this intelligence the team booked to Lagos Island market and arrested two BDC operators namely: Abdullahi Shehu who works with Abdullahi Munaciki of Hasbunallahu BDC, Abuja and Lawal A. Abdullahi of Three Brother BDC. Also the team recovered the said $1.6million USD but already $141,000.00 USD had been exchanged to Naira at N358/ per dollar which amounted to N50,500,000.00 while the balance of $1,459.000.00 USD could not easily be exchanged due to the Naira scarcity in the market.

    “Investigation conducted regarding the ownership as well as the source of the money so far revealed that Hasbunallahu BDC who is also the owner of Clean and Integrity Services Ltd received three transfers amounting to $5,000,000.00 USD on the 4th and 14th February, 2019 from Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria Limited which is an investment company that is being managed by  Uyiekpan Giwa-Osagie in trust on behalf of xxx.

    ”Investigation carried out on the accounts of Guernsey Trust Company Nig Ltd reveals that various transfers in millions of dollars and cash payments were made to various individuals and companies.”

    The details of these transfers are as follows:

    • On the 1st February, 2019, Abdullahi Munaciki of Hasbunallahu BDC received a transfer of $500,000 USD in his Guaranty Trust Bank Dollar Account Named: Clean & Integrity Services Ltd with Account number: 325/391103/2/1/0. The transfer came from Uyiekpan Giwa-Osagie of Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria Limited.
    • And on the 18th January, 2019, Root Capital Ltd received the sum of $1,000,000.00 into its account in Keystone Bank PPC from Guernsey Trust Company Nig Ltd account in Keystone Bank Plc. There after the naira equivalent was paid into Andrew Pitchford account by Spring Creek on behalf of Root Capital Ltd.
    • After that, on 4th February, 2019 another transfer in the sum of $1,500.000.00 USD was received into the said Clean & Integrity Services Ltd account in GTB from the same company Account Guernsey Trust company Nigeria Limited in keystone bank on Instruction of the said Uyiekpan Giwa-Osagie.
    • And the third transfer was made in bulk on 14th February, 2019 in the sum of $3,000,000.00 USD, similarly from Guernsey trust company Nigeria Limited in keystone bank to Clean & Integrity Services Ltd account in GTB.
    • Painstaking investigation conducted on how the said Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria Ltd sourced the above mentioned $5,000,000.00 USD showed that the company received into its Keystone bank Euro Account number 1002523061 two Inflows of N13,050.000.00 Euro on 9th January, 2019 and N13.000,000.00 Euro on 28th January,  2019 totaling N26,050,000.00 Euro from one off-show company called  Intels West Africa Limited.
    • Further Investigation has shown that the said Euro inflows were converted to about $30,346,150.12 USD and transferred in tranches of $14,362.500.00 USD, $14,977,194.13 USD, and $1,000,000.00 USD to Guernsey Trust company Nigeria Limited’s Dollar Account number: 1003057653 to Keystone bank between 11th January and 12th February 2019.
    • On the 18thJanuary, 2019 Guernsey Trust Company Nig Ltd paid the sum of $750,000.00 to Bluebeam Capital Ltd, the money was subsequently transferred to BLK Prestige Investment
    • Also on the 29th January, 2019 Guernsey Trust Company  Nig Ltd paid total sum of $2,065,934.00 to Capital filed Investment Group Ltd account in Keystone Bank Plc and the naira equivalent of the said amount in the sum of N856, 569,200.00 was paid in tranches to Andrew Pitchford Ltd account. The company is owned by one Mr. Erhunse Giwa Osagie, a brother to Mr. Uyiekpen Giwa Osagie.
    • Furthermore on the 6th February, 2019, Guernsey Trust Company Nig Ltd paid Bluebeam Capital Ltd the sum of $1,000,000.00 the money was subsequently transferred to BLK Prestige Investment Ltd with UBA Zambia while the naira equivalent was paid into the account of Andrew Pitchford Ltd by Spring Creek Ltd on behalf of Bluebeam capital Ltd.
    • Again on the 11th February 2019, Bluebeam Capital Ltd received the sum of $2,000,000.00 from Guernsey Trust Company Nig Ltd. On the instruction of Mr. Erhunse Giwa Osagie out of which the sum of $1,000,000.00 was transferred to account of BLK Prestige Investment Ltd United Bank for Africa in Zambia while the remaining $1,000,000.00 was converted into naira and paid into Sterling Bank Plc account of Andrew Pitchford Nig Ltd with account number 0689724732.

     

  • A poll and its aftermath

    Here we go again – was my gut reaction to the rejection of the outcome of the February 23 presidential election by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

    “If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South”.

    That was Atiku moments after INEC declared the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari winner of the February 23 presidential poll. Well, he didn’t “lose”; rather his opponent won. And the victory is as emphatic as can be: 15,191,847 votes for the incumbent as against Atiku who polled 11,262,978 – which means that Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo will remain in charge for the next four years.

    By the way, when compared with his showing of 15,424,921 in the 2015 election against incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan, the latest showing might seem not only modest but indicative of how fewer friends the president has made since; however, when his foray albeit limited,into such states as Akwa Ibom, Abia and Rivers – states which hitherto presented as a formidable iron curtain are factored in, the surge in the mandate become understandable. And this is aside the four million-vote margin between him and the closest challenger. That is as unassailable as can be.

    Could Atiku have won the election?

    I certainly understand the anger of those who, frustrated by what they perceive as the many ‘sins’ of the Buhari presidency,are led to think that the country deserves better than what is on offer more so at this time. To this group, the sins of this presidency are legion:they range to an allegedlack of sensitivity to the nation’s diversity evidenced by the lopsidedness in appointments, the administration’s rather poor handling of the herdsmen/farmers clashes to the slow pace of governance etc. To them, nothing of the so-called infrastructure deliverables can assuage for the grievous sin of a lack of inclusion.

    But then, let’s flip the question in another way: could the incumbent, President Buhari, with all the foibles of his administration in the last four years, have lost against an Atikuwho in fact offers nothing spectacularly different from the incumbent?

    To begin with, Atiku is hardly a new product on offer; other than the singular factor of name-recognition which unfortunately carries with it a lethal baggage, the only other thing that can be said as going for him is that he has been there before and so should able to understand how the system works. Yes, Nigerians know Atiku – but for what? Secondly, he says nothing new that Nigerians are not too familiar with. As for his public thoughts on governance and economy, not only are they dated but are increasingly seen as toxic! While he boasted of his pedigree as a job creator, Nigerians struggled to find the vintage entrepreneur but found instead the archetype Nigerian comprador-investor who thrives in state subsidies! In any case, I didn’t hear our policy wonk offer new perspectives on the unemployment situation or a coherent strategy to deal with it. In the end, his touted recordcould only sound hollow if not dubious. And that is not counting terrible damage inflicted on his brand by no less a personality than his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo.

    That was the man presented by the PDP to run against the saintly Muhammadu Buhari, the perceived nemesis of the corrupt elite; and friend of the talakawa in a process that became more of a referendum on the performance on the incumbent rather than a true electoral contest. While it amounted to a censure of sorts for the incumbent, it was in the end, a case of no contest between them.

    So where do we go from here.

    All of course depends on how the victory is managed. Given the volume of bile spewing daily on the world-wide-webfrom partisans on both sides of the national divides, you’ll think that the country is already on a full-blown war as against merely ruing the import of a mere electoral fest. Currently, all it takes is a minor joke on the social media sites for textual fusillades to be unleashed by those presumably hurting from the loss of their candidate on perceived enemies.

    Welcome to the season of ethnic baiting – a season when nothing is held sacrosanct and our common humanity perches on a fragile thread. As friends turn enemies over differences in political choice,our traditional fault-lines have not only been exacerbated, our country is left swinging dangerously towards the precipice. It is truly Silly Season 11. Whereas the election may have produced clear winners, now itseems increasingly doubtful that the country will be allowed to savour the fruits of victory.

    I am not here writing of an Atiku going to court to retrieve his “stolen mandate”; but of growing animosities that have divided the country along the lines of faith, geography and ethnography; along the tribe of wailers and hailers. The battle unfortunately is one the country is least prepared for or even likely to be able to win.

    To be fair to President Buhari, he has been most conciliatory – and statesmanlike in victory. I wish yours truly can say this of the hordes of supporters of ruling APC who in their moments of mindless triumphalism have long cast off any restraints or humility; or their sparring partners who think little of delegitimizing the process simply because they came short.

    For a country in the throes of terrorism and its malignant variants, the omens are simply not good. It is like pouring more petrol on an already combustible surface. It is the surest route to Armageddon.

    As it is, President Buhari has his work out: time to embark on a healing mission. As the president may have found out in nearly four years of being in the saddle, it requires far more effortto court the minds of menthan it would in building concrete bridges on the Niger. Imagine his poor showing in Anambra – a state where the on-going Second Niger Bridge would ordinarily have guaranteed a haul of votes. That task must begin now.

  • EFCC Arrests Atiku’s son-in-law Babalele

    • Ex-VP vows: I’ll not mortgage peoples’ mandate • Inaugurates legal team

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arrested Alhaji Babalele Abdullahi, a son in law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    It was not clear why he was arrested, but the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believed it was politically motivated.

    He vowed that under no circumstance would he mortgage “the mandate of Nigerians as freely expressed on the 23rd of February, 2019.”

    Atiku’s media team said in a statement in Abuja that the EFCC operatives invaded Abdullahi’s residence at Maitama, Abuja to effect his arrest.

    He doubles as finance director of Atiku’s group of companies.

    The Atiku Media team said: “The EFCC agents numbering about two dozen came in two regular vehicles, an 18-seater Toyota bus (registration Abuja CS 522 RSH) and a Hilux van.

    “They came with a search warrant to search the house and office of Babalele and found nothing incriminating.

    “They then proceeded to his office at Oakland Centre in Maitama and found nothing incriminating there. However, they took away some documents of landed property.

    “Not done, the EFCC officials stormed his Wuse residence where they again found nothing incriminating after the search.

    “Afterwards, Babalele was taken away to the EFCC office in Wuse to make a statement alongside Mr. Lawan Ayuba.

    “It was gathered that the petition relied upon to invade the residence and office of Babalele was authored by a brother of the wife of President Buhari.

    “As a law abiding citizen, Atiku Abubakar recognizes the constitutional role of the EFCC and indeed any other agency of the government to carry out investigations, but will not be cowed by any attempt to blackmail him into mortgaging his mandate.”

    In a separate statement, the Atiku Media office said he inaugurated a legal team to challenge the result of the 23 February presidential election.

    The legal team is headed by Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN).

    He was quoted as saying: “I am encouraged by the presence of fearless men and women of the Bench.

    “The judiciary which had in the past discharged itself ably is once again being called upon to deliver judgement on this matter that will be untainted by lucre and uncowed by the threat of immoral power.”

     

  • 2019: What U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo told Buhari, Atiku

    U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has made phone calls to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday on the need for peaceful and credible elections on Saturday.

    The Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, Mr Robert Palladino, in a statement noted that Pompeo also underscored the United States support for credible and peaceful polls in Nigeria.

    Atiku, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) presidential candidate and Buhari’s main challenger in the Saturday’s election, had confirmed Pompeo’s call on Friday.

    Palladino said: “Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with major Nigerian presidential candidates President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in advance of the country’s February 16 presidential election.

    Read also: INEC declares ballot papers for Niger East, North missing

    “The Secretary noted the deep and long-standing partnership between the United States and Nigeria, Africa’s most-populous democracy and largest economy.

    “He underscored U.S. support for the Nigerian goal of free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

    “He welcomed both candidates’ signing of a peace pledge and public commitment to renounce violence and to accept the results of a credible process.

    “The Secretary noted the conduct of the elections is critical for the future of democracy in Nigeria and across Africa”. (NAN)

  • PDP to Adamawa crowd: vote your chosen son Atiku

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held its last presidential rally in Adamawa State, the home state of its candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with a call on the people to vote for him to become the next president.

    PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus told the crowd at the Ribadu Square in Jimeta, Yola, that Adamawa people must vote for Atiku 100 per cent, as they could not afford to reject their own son that Nigerian have chosen.

    Secondus said: “Nigeria has given Adamawa people a free gift. The entire people gathered: eminent personalities from the North, from the West, East, the Southsouth and the Northcentral; they endorsed your own son – the man that has been tested in the public and private sectors. The man that is full of energy and zeal.”

    He asked the crowd to agree with the rest of the country that Atiku is worthy of their confidence and votes.

    Secondus reiterated that apart from Atiku being their son, Adamawa people could rely on him for his capacity.

    He said: “The rest of Nigerians have chosen your son, a very energetic and competent man. He will not leave or give the presidency to a cabal. He will preside over the Villa 24 hours of the day. He will not sleep on duty as some other people are doing. APC is sleeping on duty. That’s why there is hunger in the country. That is why there is insecurity. That is why there is economic hardship and people are not employed.

    “The entire country has come together to place their confidence in your son to lead Nigeria out of hunger, out of deprivation and suffering. We are expecting 100 per cent votes from Adamawa State.”

    Atiku , who spoke after Secondus, asked the Adamawa people to prove the acceptance of their own by giving him their votes.

    Atiku said: “Today is my last day of campaign. I have not come here to campaign, but to say I have come home. The rest of Nigeria has campaigned for you by giving your son a ticket. What I want to say on your behalf is that we are grateful to all Nigerians for giving us the opportunity to elect the president from Adamawa State, from the Northeast.”

    Atiku added that when the PDP led the country, there was unity and development and Nigerians lived a better life.

    He said when APC took over, “it is unemployment, hunger, poverty and insecurity”.

    He urged the people to vote for him and bid President Muhammadu Buhari good bye.

    Adamawa State PDP governorship candidate Umaru Fintiri, who also spoke at the rally, urged the people to vote for Atiku, saying the vote would translate into national peace, unity, progress and empowerment for all.

    Two former governors – Boni Haruna and Bala Ngilari – also spoke at the campaign.

     

  • The die is cast

    IN 48 hours, we will go to the polls to elect our president from the large crowd of candidates seeking to occupy the exalted seat. President Muhammadu Buhari is leading the pack of candidates. The President is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Closely following on his heels is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Pundits have since reduced the election to a two-horse race between Buhari and Atiku. They have written off the other candidates, who they have been referring to as also-rans, even before the election holds. To the pundits, it is a two-horse race because the duo are tested politicians, who have been in the corridors of power for long,  and also count among their associates money bags and other influential people that can swing things in their favour.

    What they lack in charisma and finesse, they have in abundance in their connections within and outside the country. Even the outside world also sees the election as a race between Buhari and Atiku. This is why external comments have always been on what relates to these leading candidates. They latch on to whatever either side says about the election, using it to implore us to conduct a free, fair and credible election. I do not like it when foreign powers try to dictate to us how to run our democracy because they have not really been shining examples when it comes to that.

    With what has been happening in the United States (US) since the election which brought President Donald Trump to power, we cannot say that his country is a perfect example of what a democracy should be. But we cannot discountenance what the US, the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) are saying, no matter how imperfect their own systems may be. As bad as things may be in their countries and continents when it comes to democracy, we should credit them for their ability to manage things well without resorting to bloodshed.

    The world is afraid of our impending elections because their outcome may result in violence. Violence because of one side’s refusal not to accept defeat if it loses. It is only in Africa that elections are treated as war. A do-or-die. But should it be so? The answer, of course, is no. So, we know where the foreign powers are coming from when they don their high hat and tell us how to conduct elections. We brought it upon ourselves because of our politicians penchant for winning at all costs. They do not see elections for the contest they are. Like every contest, there must be a winner and a loser and the beauty of it is for the loser to accept defeat, congratulate the winner and life goes on thereafter.

    The February 16 presidential and National Assembly elections will kick start the general polls, which will be rounded off on March 2, with the governorship and House of Assembly contest. The focus is on the presidential race, which over 70 candidates are contesting, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Many of the candidates are unknown. This is why all the attention is on the more popular Buhari and Atiku. Are the two the best of the lot? In terms of brilliance and ability to deliver, they are not, but they have power, money, structure and connection behind them. The business community will not say it, but it will always support those in power because it is the politically correct thing to do.

    We have among the contestants young and vibrant Nigerians, who if given the chance can turn things around for good for our country, but the system may not allow them to emerge. I am talking of the Kingsley Moghalus, the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashims, the Fela Durotoyes, the Omoyele Sowores et al. These are new politicians on the block who with the right structure can win election and provide quality leadership for our country. We need leadership that can think out of the box. A president that can stand his own among his fellow presidents and not bring shame to our country. In a country of almost 200 million people, we have such people, but the obnoxious system we operate is not allowing them room to blossom.

    This is a presidential race with a difference. In the past, it would have only been the same old faces running. Today, we have the new breed also on the ballot. This is some consolation that we are growing as a nation. If the Moghalus, the Olawepo-Hashims and the Oby Ezekwesilis, before she withdrew from the race, can come out today, all  hope is not lost for our country. Very soon, the old brigade will know that their time is up and they will quietly quit the scene for the next generation. For that to happen, the technocrats too must be ready to give them a run for their money just as Moghalu and co., are doing because as APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is wont to say “power is not served a’la carte”. To get it, you must go for it.

    Even if the Moghalus, the Durotoyes, the Olawepo-Hashims do not get it eventually, history will be kind to them that they walked  where angels feared to tread. As it happened in 2015, we pray that at the end of the day, the election will be free and fair, with the losers having the courage to concede defeat and hug the winner to the admiration of the world. All is set for the election and may it be conducted without hitch. By this time next Thursday, it should be all over, with the winner known to the world. Who will that be?

    Those trying to play God, may yet be shocked by the outcome of the election. One thing is for sure, it will be a peaceful exercise to the chagrin of the prophets of doom.

  • Buhari ‘ll win, say polls

    President Muhammadu Buhari will win Saturday’s election, according to opinion polls conducted by two research organisations, NOI Poll and British Business Group.

    Their findings confirm that President Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are clearly in a two-horse race, adding that other presidential candidates are not in serious contention.

    Also, the findings did not contradict the report of New York-based global research firm, Eurasia Group, which predicted that the President will win by 60 percent.

    The NOI Poll, which was commissioned by the Anap Foundation, led by Atedo Peterside, analysed respondents’ support for President Buhari, based on six factors – continuity, fight against corruption, integrity, improving security, helping the poor and preferred choice.

    Also, participants’ preference for Atiku were analysed, based on the criteria of “better economy, better governance, preferred choice, past political records, and restructuring”.

    However, the findings suggested voter apathy, particularly in the Southeast and Southwest, unlike the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral zones.

    The organisation noted that the apathy was not surprising, stressing that the choice of two elderly Muslim candidates for the presidential election may have alienated quite a few in the South.

    “That President Muhammadu Buhari actually had an overall lead in our polls is cold comfort for his supporters because further analysis confirms that only approximately one-third of the electorate nationwide claimed to be backing his candidacy. Atiku is lagging behind President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    It added: “The strongest argument against Atiku were also those that were brandied around by some of his new friends, who were his erstwhile political enemies. All of a sudden, they would have us forget everything bad that they told us about Atiku….So, PMB is in the lead, but Atiku has momentum.”

    It stressed: “Buhari will secure a win…Buhari maintains support in the North and Southwest, the same regions with the largest share of registered voters.”

    The British Business Group said President Buhari’s support base in the North and Southwest zones cannot be penetrated by the opposition.

    The group said: “Buhari maintains support in the North and Southwest, the same regions with the largest share of registered voters. Institutional bias towards the ruling party will also favour an APC victory. PDP will struggle to mobilise support outside its traditional strongholds, but will face difficulties in funding its campaigns and internal divisions among ambitious governors.”

    According to the Eurasia Group, the former vice president faces certain odds, even as he enjoys a divided support from key elements in the opposition party.

    It noted that while these elements were working to retain their seats in their various constituencies, they were not dissipating the same energies and resources on the presidential contest.

    The research firm also ruled out the possibility of protests and violence, if President Buhari is re-elected.

  • Sokoto agog as Atiku flags off Northwest campaign

    The People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) on Monday flagged off the Northwest Zonal campaign of its Presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Kangiwa square, venue of the flag off has been a beehive of activities since the early hours of Monday.

    Read Also:2019 poll: Atiku meets Wike ahead of campaign kick off

    Already, the party’s chieftains , supporters and well-wishers from across the zone comprising of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara have converged on the multipurpose venue.

    However, the Presidential candidate and his running mate, Peter Obi, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, governorship candidates, National chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, Senate President Bukola Saraki, serving and former PDP governors arrived the venue  at about 2pm.

  • 2019: Tambuwal congratulates Atiku

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for picking the Presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections.

    Tambuwal, in a letter addressed to Atiku, dated Oct. 8, and issued on Monday in Abuja, pledged to support his presidential bid.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku scored 1,532 votes to clinch the ticket, with Tambuwal who got 693 votes being the closest opponent in the party’s elective convention held in Port Harcourt.

    “On behalf of myself, my family, and millions of my supporters from across the length and breadth of the country, I heartily rejoice with and congratulate you on your emergence as the flag bearer of our great political party, the PDP.

    “Your emergence through a transparent process is a testament to the fact that the PDP is now a reformed party and has sent a strong signal about our resolve to bring about the desired national transformation needed to turn around the fortunes of our beloved nation Nigeria,” he said.

    Tambuwal promised to work with Atiku to ensure that he emerged victorious in the 2019 general elections, and urged members of the PDP to roll up their sleeves to ensure victory for it. (NAN)

  • Ex-SGF LAWAL: I’m proud to have been part of Presidential cabal

    …says Atiku can’t win election

     

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal has spoken for the first time after his sack from office, saying he did not defend himself about the allegations that led to his exit because he believe they were fabricated by those who wanted him out of office.

    The former SGF said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot win election even in his native Adamawa, stressing that he has become a nomadic politician moving from one party to the other.

    Lawal told newsmen in Abuja that he was proud to have been associated with the cabal within the Presidency saying if having his suggestions to the President accepted makes him part of a cabal, he was proud to be one.

    Read Also:EFCC releases ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal

    Feeling rather betrayed, Lawal said his exit from office opened his eyes to know that some of the people around him, especially while in office were envious of him.

    He said he was not contesting the governorship of Adamawa because having served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, running the federal government, he believes that he was bigger than the office of the governor, but would rather encourage his 33 year old son to do that.

    He said: “Let me tell you, nothing happened to me. It was just a fabrication and I know it. That is why it didn’t bother me right from the beginning. That is why people don’t like me because I am self-confident.

    “It didn’t bother me. Did I defend myself that time and I am not doing it because I know they were fabricated because they wanted the SGF position. I am still doing fine. If you want to make heaven as a Christian, never carry any grudge. Forgiveness is principle number one and I want to make heaven.”

    Speaking on life outside government, Lawal said “before I came into government, I was a very successful businessman, a world renowned IT consultant. I abandoned that and came into government and was earning N930, 000 every month. Now, I have been sacked.

    “Before then, I had a farm, 1000 hectares of farm land which I could not pay attention to because I was doing government job. Now, I have gone back to my farm and deactivated it completely and I now have 4000 hectare under cultivation.

    “Last year, I earned close to half a billion Naira from my farm. I have a cattle ranch that I am developing gradually and I am back to IT consultancy. I will say life is good. Was I like this before? Everybody that sees me now tells me, you are looking good.

    “I did expect Nigerians to stand behind me. You know that I am a Pastor; people always forget that I am a pastor. The Bible says that God works in all things for the good of those who trust him. There is something that has happened to me which, if I had not gone through this experience, I would not have known.

    “There are people that I have helped that are determined to say that I should not see the light of day. All along, they were carrying my children to school, but scheming that I die. I would not have known that.

    “I would not have known that people I was paying school fees for their children and feeding them were actually people who were envious of me. I would not have known that. I wouldn’t have known. That as a human being, you have no co two, over your destiny. God does it and I believe that the way the Bible puts it, everything that happen to you is for your own good.”

    On being a member of the cabal operating within the Presidency, he said “cabal is not a bad word. Those they call cabal are the inner caucus and every person has people around him that are closest to him. If the President appoints me as SGF and I cannot influence his decision, then what am I doing there?

    “That is the whole essence, being able to influence your boss decision. If because you are close to your boss and makes recommendations and he listens to you, that makes you a cabal, then it is a pride to be a cabal. Would you like me to be SGF and have no influence whatsoever in the government? Then, I will just be a bench warmer.”

    While denying being the one who nominated the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal said “Am I the President? Even when I was the SGF, all appointments were made by the President. At best, you recommend and it is up to him to either accept or reject. On what basis will I recommend the SGF? He is my brother and I cannot deny that.”

    He deny any sectional interest in his work as SGF, saying “Am a Hausa man? I am a Kilba man and we are only about 30,000. I am a Christian and there is no way I can be accused of sectionalism if a Muslim gets appointed or get recommended by me or if I recommend somebody from Sokoto or Katsina.

    “You can call me sectional, if you can tell me that from your Hong local government; these are the appointments you made. If they are talking about sectionalism, were they when these people were working hard. When I was appointed SGF. they didn’t even know where I come from. Where were they when we were sleeping in the bushes.”

    On the chances of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the former SGF said “I like the man ooo. You know I resembled him. I like the guy, but he can’t win election in Adamawa State. There are just people who can’t win election because their methodology is not good.

    “Somehow, people are fatigue and the man changed party like football. You kick a football, run after it and kick it again. So, the man changes parties. Anytime you change party, you leave somebody behind.”

    Lawal said President Buhari remains the best option for the presidency, saying “I know that President Buhari has done well to be re-elected over and over again. Have you not seen the infrastructures and the things Buhari has been doing? Come to Adamawa State and I will show you.

    “In my own state, before Buhari came, seven local government areas were under occupation by Boko Haram. I couldn’t go to my village, I couldn’t go to my farm, I couldn’t go to my local government. Now, even at 2 am, I drove to my house and sleep well, in the morning, I wake up and go to my farm in a remote part of the village and come back safe.

    “If you have never been insecure, you don’t know what it mean to be safe or feel safe and sleep in your house without fear. Secondly, all the truncated A roads in Adamawa State are either under construction or the contract are being awarded.

    “The road from Yola to Gombe is under construction, from Numan to Taraba is under construction, from Yola to Mubi is under construction and many others. The 330KVA line to Jalingo is completed.

    “Before now, Adamawa was on 33 KVA and simple grinding machine could not operate in Adamawa State. Now, we have 330KVA going to Jalingo and there is another one under construction. Boko Haram burnt down all the schools and police stations in the occupied areas. Right now, all of them have been rebuilt and the policemen have come back what else do we want?”