The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum, AYIF, has knocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his call for the suspension of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku had, through his media aides, demanded Gbajabiamila’s
suspension over his alleged involvement in a N400 billion bribery scandal.
Atiku had also called for an independent probe of the allegation.
However, the Arewa youths faulted Atiku’s position on the
matter, claiming that the former Vice President was unfit to point accusing
fingerd at anyone
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji
Mohammed Aliyu, the Forum accused Atiku of blatant hypocrisy and political
desperation ahead of 2027 election.
“Gbajabiamila is a saint compared to the mountain of
corruption cases that define Atiku Abubakar’s public life. While we support
thorough investigation into any allegation, Atiku lacks the moral standing to
lecture anyone on integrity.
“His call is nothing but political mischief aimed at
distracting Nigerians from his own tainted history. The Arewa Youth Integrity
Forum will not sit idly by while a serial controversy magnet pretends to be a
crusader,” the statement said.
The Forum noted that unproven allegations against sitting
officials should not be weaponized by opposition figures with far more damaging
records.
AYIF pointed to Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, from 1999
to 2007, during which he faced multiple graft accusations, including a Senate
probe that recommended his prosecution for allegedly diverting over $145
million from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, to companies
linked to him.
The youth forum described Atiku’s latest intervention as
selective outrage, especially given his history of alleged involvement in
high-profile international scandals.
AYIF called on the former VP to first address the many
questions surrounding his own wealth accumulation while in public office.
“Atiku was banned from entering the United States for years
due to corruption concerns. Reports detailed how over $40 million in suspect
funds, including bribe payments from Siemens, were allegedly moved through
accounts linked to him and his wife.
“How does a man with such baggage have the audacity to call
for the suspension of a serving official? This is the height of hypocrisy.
“Nigerians remember the William Jefferson bribery scandal
where Atiku was implicated as the target of a $100,000 bribe attempt to
influence Nigerian contracts,” the statement said.
The AYIF emphasised that while the allegations against
Gbajabiamila deserve scrutiny, they should not overshadow the broader context
of Atiku’s repeated brushes with anti-corruption agencies and international
investigators.
The Forum recalled audio recordings released by a former
aide alleging Atiku’s use of Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs, to siphon public
funds, including N100 million from ecological funds, further tarnishing his
image.
AYIF noted that Atiku’s pattern of controversies, from PTDF
fund diversions to offshore money laundering allegations, makes him unfit to
dictate standards of governance.
The statement added, “Atiku’s public record is littered with
allegations of abuse of office, embezzlement, and conflict of interest. From
NICOTES/INTELS business dealings while in customs service to the litany of
Senate indictments, his history speaks volumes.
“The former VP should retire from this endless cycle of
scandals and allow credible leaders to move Nigeria forward.”
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