Kassim Afegbua, former commissioner for information in Edo
state, says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should respond to the US’
allegations of corruption against him.
Atiku’s row with the US authorities began after the FBI
investigated a bribery scandal involving William Jefferson, former US
congressman, in 2004.
He was accused of demanding a bribe of $500,000 to
facilitate the award of contracts to two American telecommunication firms in
Nigeria.
In a statement on Sunday, Afegbua who was the spokesperson
of Atiku’s campaign in 2019, said the report of the US congress on the
allegations against Atiku is too “damning to be ignored”.
“The report of the United States Congress on the
investigation is too damning to be ignored, if we truly want to sustain the
ethics of a transparent leadership and positive governance,” the former
commissioner said.
“I am therefore calling on the United States Government to
commence the process of inviting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the United States to
face those charges without further delay. I am aware of the threats to my life
over my strong position against the aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and
other northern aspirants who are running against the run of play.
“I am therefore, using this opportunity to plead that the
United States Government takes expedite action on this matter in the interest
of rule of law, justice and transparency.
“The United States of America should please take deliberate
steps to help Nigeria grow her anti-corruption initiative, deepen her democracy
and provide the opportunity for a robust economy that will benefit the majority
and not a select and privileged few. It will help consolidate both private and
public sector effort at reducing the incidents of corruption and financial
malfeasance.
“The earlier Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is made to face the full
wrath of the law, the better for our anti-corruption crusade, and the best for
our fledgling democracy.
“I am a Nigerian who desires to see a more proactive
government that would respond positively to the yearnings and aspirations of
its citizenry. A stitch in time, saves nine. This is the time to act urgently
too.”
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