Atiku Says Economist Intelligence Unit Prediction Is Merchant Purchased By APC
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has described the report of the Economist Intelligence Unit as a merchant purchased by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to confuse the country in an uphill task to defend the sham election of February 25, which only retained the ruling party in office.
Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibeh noted with regret that the report was an embarrassment to the think tank body, adding that notwithstanding the preponderance of salient issues raised on the credibility of the so-called election by local and foreign observers, it was disappointing that the EIU would condescend to ballot laundering for the ruling party in the most populous Black country.
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the February 25, 2023 election, said that while he wish to apply cautious restraint in responding to the EIU on this disgraceful outing, it should be considered as stern warning to the body to respect Nigeria’s democracy and the institution of the nation’s judiciary.
In his words; “and that next time, they should be more circumspect before they jump on any trade by barter jaundiced reports about Nigeria.
Directing his finders at the APC which it accused of going cap in hand begging for legitimacy at all impossible places, Atiku reminded them of a popular local proverb that states: “he who steals a drum from the palace carries the unenviable burden of where to beat it”.
He further said; “A government that goes around to buy anything at sight to award legitimacy unto itself leaves much to the imagination of the people.
“President Tinubu and his team of lawyers had all the opportunity at the court to present his case of legitimacy before the parties closed their cases at the election petition tribunal.
“But rather than explore that opportunity, his lawyers were busy signing counter motions on subpoenas that seek to shed more light on his personal information.
“We therefore consider it a breach of due process anything that is being done outside the walls of the court that seeks to make short circuited testimony about the outcome of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal,” he stressed.
