Atiku’s Final Vindication On PTDF

By

Musa Ilallah

musahk123@yahoo.com

 

 

I have no doubt in my mind that as a true Muslim, Immediate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Turakin Adamawa had, since the PTDF saga some three years ago that was plotted by his former Boss, Olusegun Obasanjo to drag his name in the mud because of his (Atiku's) all out war to scuttle Obasanjo's tenure elongation plan, rested his case in the hands of Allah with the absolute faith that one day the truth will be told naturally by those who are in positions to say it.

 

Luckily for Atiku, that day came not too long after he had left office. One of the key government officials who  oversees the daily running of the agency has now said it all in exonerating from the all out war to tarnish Atiku's name and consequently scuttle his Presidential ambition come April 2007.

 

I need not to go into the various tribulations Atiku had gone through in the hands of maximum ruler Obasanjo. The summary of it all is that Atiku has proved to the only saviour of Nigeria's democracy. But for his untiring schemings to counter Obasanjo's moves, Obasanjo would have today become Nigeria's ruler for life.  To say that Atiku is a patriot, a democrat, a respecter of rule of law and a nationalist is just an understatement. Atiku is a politician of note, locally and internationally. He has proved his worth as a reliable, transparent and examplary leader.

 

It is important to at this juncture say that the management of PTDF funds was a major issue that polarized the Presidency under Obasanjo in 2006. Obasanjo had accused Vice President Atiku of misappropriating the funds belonging to the PTDF. But Atiku, in his response, claimed that President Obasanjo was the one who did. 

 

Current Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Kabir Mohammed recently told Journalists in Abuja that ‘former President Obasanjo misapplied money belonging to the PTDF’ and not his Vice President as alleged by Obasanjo while he was in power. This is indeed another landmark vindication of Atiku Abubakar as an honest, disciplined and patriotic leader who did not betray the trust reposed in him by Nigerians since he was sworn into office on May 29, 1999.

 

The PTDF Chief Executive had while testifying before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) in Abuja said that “Obasanjo did not only decide PTDF projects, he also supervised the release of funds for their execution.” The Executive Secretary’s comments were widely carried by almost all the Nigerian Newspapers on Friday 18, 2008.

 

 He further went ahead to say that PTDF under Obasanjo’s supervision was run without regards to laid down procedures. Obasanjo in addition breached section 3 of the PTDF Act of 1973 in the management of its resources.

 

Nigerians can vividly recall that a lot of lies were told about the PTDF funds against Atiku when Obasanjo was in charge. Various names short of calling Atiku a thief were told simply because Atiku had expressed his desire to aspire to the position of President of Nigeria in the April 2007 elections. Obasanjo should now bury himself in shame having lied to Nigerians that Atiku had misapplied PTDF’s funds. He should go and hang himself forThat prompted the then Senate of the Federal Republic to set up an investigative committee to get to the truth of the PTDF loot.

 

 Unfortunately, Obasanjo used his stooges and fronts in and out of the Senate to scuttle the idea behind the setting up of the ad-hoc committee and at the end of the day presented a biased, doctored, tailored and one sided biased report. Obasanjo used his Executive powers to nail Atiku with allegations of squandering monies belonging to the PTDF.However, the PTDF Secretary’s revelation has given Atiku Abubakar a clean bill of health and consequently redeemed his image.

 

Atiku’s doggedness is certainly unparalleled in Nigeria’s political history. He went to court to challenge his indictment by an administrative panel set up by Obasanjo as a result of the PTDF allegation.

 

Atiku himself said that he felt relieved by the comments of the PTDF Executive Secretary on the true position of things at the PTDF. In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Media Consultant, Garba Shehu, said that ‘Nigerians now know between Obasanjo and Atiku the one who has been deceiving him.’ He added that there was no better explanation on what transpired at PTDF when both Obasanjo and Atiku were in government than what the Executive Secretary said. For Atiku, this vindication calls for celebration.

 

It is indeed a big relief to Atiku and his associates that his image particularly, on the PTDF that was nearly put down the drains has been redeemed. This is a big political achievement for Atiku especially now that the controversial 2007 Presidential elections being challenged by him and Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP among others at the elections petitions tribunal was nearing determination and the likely possibility of canceling the elections and consequently conducting fresh elections.

 

For Atiku it was a good unsolicited and God given clean bill of health for his future endeavours- political or otherwise. By all standards, Atiku deserves to lead this country. He is politically more experienced to be Nigeria’s President having being Vice President for two terms of eight years.All the while, he had proved to Nigerian’s that he is one leader they can trust and go home with their two eyes closed and all will work well.