2019: Obasanjo, Atiku can’t match Buhari on integrity test – APC spokesman

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has said that on integrity contest, not former President Olusegun Obasanjo or his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, can beat President Muhammadu Buhari any day.

He noted that the though Obasanjo had once described Atiku Abubakar as a corrupt, disloyal and unpatriotic leader who was not fit and proper to handle the mantle of Nigerian leadership, this is enough to rubbish any sudden endorsement from him.

Nabena, who stated this while speaking with some journalists in Abuja on Sunday, pointed out that Obasanjo contradicted himself when he made a volte-face to tell Nigerians that he has forgiven Abubakar.

He said: “Throughout their second tenure in office, 2003-2007 and until a fortnight ago, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had described Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a corrupt, disloyal and unpatriotic leader who was not fit and proper to handle the mantle of Nigerian leadership.

Only recently, Obasanjo vowed that God would not forgive him if he supported the Presidential aspiration of Atiku as, “it would amount to handing Nigeria over to sharks and looters”, he said.

The APC Deputy Spokesman stated that soon after his (Atiku) declaration, Obasanjo made a volte-face and announced that he had forgiven Atiku and that he had decided to also support his presidential aspiration,

adding that “Obasanjo’s message to Nigerians therefore was that his former deputy, whom he had accused of various acts of corruption, had suddenly become clean, credible and prepared to lead Nigeria. What a contradiction?

“When a supposed national leader makes declarations that are subject to change at any time based on his mood, such a leader loses integrity and reliability,

“It is surprising that Obasanjo who had accused Atiku of corruption tendencies, suddenly turned around and declare the sinner, forgiven and eminently qualified to govern Nigeria.

“It is this tendency towards indecision, insincerity, double talk and deception that has made Nigeria ridiculed in the eyes of the international community. A statesman is known for his principles and his statements are based on the strength of his convictions”, the APC spokesman noted.

He also faulted the integrity and nationalistic image being brandied by the PDP’s 2019 vice presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, decribing him as double-faced and pretentious, saying that many world-class shopping malls owned by Mr. Peter Obi sprang up in various cities in Nigeria soon after he left office as Anambra State Governor.

“Nigerians cannot be deceived, we have seen them all, Presidential Library, Bells and American University of Nigeria, Breweries and Shopping Malls, all established with largely public funds but privately owned by public officers.

“President Muhammadu Buhari as a former Military Head of State and Petroleum Minister never attempted to acquire oil well, private jet or estates in Nigeria and abroad for himself or family so, made him different and stands out tall from the double-faced candidates seeking election,” he added.