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Tag: Paul Ibe

  • EFCC invades home of Finance Director of Atiku’s company

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on Saturday, said to have invaded the Abuja residence of the Finance Director of Atiku’s group of companies, Alhaji Babalele Abdullahi.

    A statement by Atiku’s media adviser, Mr, Paul Ibe, said the EFCC operatives, numbering about two dozen, stormed Absullahi’s Maitama District home at 8.30 am.

    Ibe stated that the operatives came in two regular vehicles, an 18-seater Toyota bus, marked Abuja CS 522 RSH; and a Toyota Hilux van.

    The statement said, “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”.

    The statement added that the invasion of Abdullahi’s home was  part of the desperate moves by the authorities to make Atiku  congratulate and concede the mandate to President Buhari.

  • Atiku’s visit to U.S. an attempt to score cheap political point -APC UK

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom Chapter, says Abubakar Atiku’s visit to the United States would not change Nigerians perception about him.

    Mr Ade Omole, Leader, APC UK chapter stated this while reacting to the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

    Atiku’s visit to the U.S was the first in 12 years, following an alleged corruption case.

    Mr Paul Ibe, his media adviser, in a statement said Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, left Nigeria on Thursday for the U.S.

    He was accompanied by the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki.

    Ibe claimed that Atiku in the course of his trip would hold meetings with U.S officials, the business community and the Nigerian community.

    But Omole faulted the claim, describing the visit as a kangaroo trip meant to score cheap political gain, adding that Nigerians are wise enough to read between the lines and could not be hoodwinked by such untoward arrangement.

    “Abubakar Atiku certainly has reasons for not visiting the U.S in the past years, especially because of corruption allegation against him,” he said.

    Read Also: FG to Atiku: you have questions to answer over collapse of Bank PHB

    He recalled that records at the U.S congress had it that Atiku engaged in money laundering through his wife who was resident in the country.

    Omole maintained that Atiku’s entry into the U.S. is a mockery of President Bush’s Presidential Proclamation 7750 which affirmed denial of entry VISA to foreign officials involved in corrupt practices by the congress.

    He, however, said that Atiku’s visit to America would not absolve him of the corruption allegation which had been hanging on him.

    Omole stressed that he does not object to Atiku or any Nigerian gaining entry into the U.S., especially when he meets the entry VISA requirements.

    He, however, maintained that the visit of the former Vice President, more or less made a mockery of him and the PDP.

    “Whether he visits U.S., or outer space, it doesn’t change anything in Nigeria, the electorate have already made up their minds to re-elect President Buhari for a second term come Feb. 16,” Omole said.

    He added that the questionable character of an individual no matter how highly placed he may be, does not evaporate by a mere visit to America.

    Omole said an individual with questionable character remains so no matter where he visited at any given time, especially if such visit is to score political point.

    He noted that while Atiku is busy trying to prove himself clean from corruption allegations with his U.S visit, Buhari is busy campaigning to Nigerians on why he should be re-elected.

    He added that the APC had continued to use its scorecard and achievements in all sectors to campaign to Nigerians on why Buhari deserves a second term in office to consolidate on his achievements.

  • Atiku knocks Buhari over latest unemployment report

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari over what he described as a forged unemployment report.

    Describing the job report released on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics as terrible and catastrophic, Atiku countered that 20.93 million Nigerians lost their jobs under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    In a statement on Wednesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku accused the Presidency of arm-twisting the Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale.

    The statement said, “We expected a terrible job report, particularly with the comment on live television from the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, that President Buhari had ordered the Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, to fudge the latest job reports.

    “However, the job report released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday November 19, 2018, is not just terrible, it is catastrophic. They show that under the All Progressives Congress administration, a whopping 20.93 million Nigerians have lost their jobs!

    Read Also: Buhari urges ASUU to suspend strike in national interest

    “To put this in perspective the unemployed population in Nigeria is now twice the population of Benin Republic!

    “Nigeria cannot continue like this, especially with an administration that continues to blame others for things that they should find solutions for with the latest ridiculous episode being President Buhari’s blaming of former President Jonathan for his own inability to appoint ministers for six months, an action that is directly responsible for the sorry state of unemployment in Nigeria.

    “We urge Nigerians to note that a President who can’t create jobs or wealth in his own private business cannot create jobs or wealth for the public because you cannot give what you do not have.

    “Right now, Nigeria is the world headquarters of extreme poverty and our main challenge is jobs. Atiku Abubakar is an expert at job and wealth creation having created 50,000 jobs in his own private capacity.

    “Whatever is entrusted into the hands of Waziri Atiku Abubakar blooms. This is a man who will never have 150 cattle year in and year out. This is a man who will never blame others and will always accept responsibility for changing things. Nigeria needs jobs and Atiku means JOBS.

    “Finally, we would like to commend the Statistician General of the Federation for having the courage to stand up to President Buhari by releasing the inconvenient truth about the state of unemployment in Nigeria.The party was reacting to a directive by the President to the Statistician General of Nigeria, Mr. Yemi Kale, to change the existing data on unemployment”.

  • ‎Journalists barred from covering Atiku’s visit to Govt. House

    Journalists were on Thursday shut out from covering the visit of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku to the Government House, Enugu.

    The journalists had accompanied the convoy of the presidential aspirant from the state secretariat of the party after meeting and addressing party stalwarts on his ambition.

    On arrival at the Government House gate, Atiku and his entourage were allowed to drive in while all the journalists including Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe were stopped from entering.

    It took prolonged entreaties from the correspondents before one of the journalists was allowed to drive in Atiku’s media aide.

    The stern looking security men, although polite, explained to the journalists that they were acting on instructions from above.

    At the party secretariat, Atiku described President Muhammadu Buhari’s government as one replete with lies.

    This is as different support groups canvasing for the former Vice President defied control by security agents.

    The support groups had in the morning taken over roads leading to Akanu Ibiam International airport Enugu and practically congested traffic from Emene to GRA state office of the PDP where Abubakar addressed party members amid uncontrollable crowd.

    Atiku said: “This government is a government of liars. They promised three million Jobs per annum but Nigeria has been losing three million Jobs every year. This job loss has brought the worst form of insecurity in the country.

    Read Also: Atiku: I’m not desperate to be president

    “We are facing challenging times in Nigeria. Today, economy is at its lowerst ebb and the greatest challenge is unemployment.”

    The former Vice President stated that the 2019 general elections would be Nigeria’s most crucial poll which citizens must ensure their votes count.

    “This is the most crucial election. Make sure you vote and when you vote, stand to protect your votes,” he urged.

    Atiku also stated that experience stands him out from the crowd, noting that he was the only former Vice President running for 2019 Presidency.

    He said: “No other government has surpassed our strides in governance. So if you are looking for an experienced person, I am here; if you are looking for a politician that can create jobs and unite Nigeria, I am here.”

    Former National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said Abubakar was the only candidate who would implement restructuring, improve Nigeria’s economy and education standards, create jobs and solve poverty and killing issues in the country.

    “Atiku loves Christians same as Muslims. He has the capacity to stop killings and bloodshed. He will turn us round on the path of development. He is the man who will rescue PDP and Nigeria,” Nwodo said.

    Responding on behalf of the state party structure, state PDP Vice Chairman, Chief Innocent Ezeoha said Abubakar as an in-law to Ndigbo was at home in Enugu state.

    “You’ve seen the crowd starting from the airport which confirms that you are a son of the soil and we will continue to pray for you in Jesus name.”

  • Atiku gets traditional title of Waziri Adamawa

    Atiku gets traditional title of Waziri Adamawa

    Adamawa  Emirate Council has confirmed the elevation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the position of Waziri Adamawa, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Mallam Muawiyah Abba, the Information Officer of the Emirate Council, confirmed the development to NAN on Friday in Yola.

    Atiku’s appointment to the position followed the death of the former Waziri, Alhaji Muhammad Abba in April.

    The Waziri is the most senior kingmaker in the emirate and serves as close confidant and adviser to the Lamido.

    Abba explained that the Council had also conferred the title of Turaki Adamawa, hitherto held by Atiku, to his son Aliyu.

    “It is true that the emirate has appointed Atiku Abubakar the new Waziri of Adamawa while his son, Aliyu, is also appointed as the new Turaki Adamawa to take over from his father,” he added.

    The new Turaki is also a grandson to late Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Aliyu Mustafa.

    When contacted on the development, the spokesman of Atiku, Mr Paul Ibe, also confirmed the appointment, adding, “I have spoken to him (Atiku) and he confirmed it.”