The Democratic Front (TDF) has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for describing his fellow presidential contenders as “thieves,” saying the comment was inappropriate and an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, the group said Atiku’s remark was particularly ironic given what it described as the former Vice President’s frequent appearance in corruption-related reports and controversies over the years.
TDF said its review of major corruption-related reports showed that no former Nigerian public officer in recent history had been mentioned as frequently as Atiku Abubakar.
The group cited accounts contained in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s My Watch, particularly Volume Two, alleging that Obasanjo recounted how former military President Ibrahim Babangida informed him of Atiku’s retirement from the Nigerian Customs Service under circumstances linked to official corruption.
TDF also questioned Atiku’s record as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) during the Obasanjo administration, alleging that the privatisation exercise attracted serious controversy over the valuation and sale of major government-owned companies and enterprises.
According to the group, Atiku has yet to adequately explain how some national assets built with public funds were allegedly undervalued and sold at questionable rates.
It further claimed that Obasanjo and former FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, had criticised aspects of the privatisation process in their respective accounts, describing the exercise as being affected by alleged corruption.
TDF also recalled the 2005 bribery scandal involving former United States Congressman William Jefferson, noting that Atiku’s name featured in the controversy, although no charges were brought against the former Vice President.
The group said Jefferson was subsequently investigated, prosecuted and sentenced to 13 years in prison in the United States.
TDF further referred to the 2006 controversy involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and allegations concerning the diversion of funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to private companies allegedly linked to Atiku.
It acknowledged that Atiku secured a favourable court judgment in connection with the EFCC matter but argued that the controversy continued to feature in public discourse.
“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,” TDF said.
The group consequently accused Atiku of “throwing stones from a glass house” by referring to other political contestants as thieves.
TDF, however, stressed that it was not accusing Atiku of being complicit in the corruption allegations and controversies it referenced.
Rather, it said the former Vice President lacked the moral standing to label others as thieves until he addressed what it described as the lingering public scepticism and distrust surrounding his integrity.
The group urged political actors to exercise restraint in their public statements and allow Nigerians to assess the records and credibility of all candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
