EFCC: Dr Saraki Is Being Persecuted Not Prosecuted – Atiku

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday declared that while he is in support of prosecuting the corrupt, he however hold the strong believe that it is wrong to use the instruments of state to persecute political opponent. 

Atiku, who was Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007), stated this while reacting to the faceoff between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and immediate past President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stressing that there is a huge difference between prosecution and persecution.

He explained that his stand against corruption in government, formed the reason why when he was in office as vice president, he personally facilitated the take-off of the EFCC, after it was created by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. 

Atiku in a statement he personally signed, noted that Dr. Saraki, the immediate past Senate President, is one of the most investigated politicians in Nigeria, stressing that he has been investigated and prosecuted all the way to the Supreme Court and has prevailed against his accusers.

Atiku further said; “It was expected that that should have been the end of the matter. However, the revival of previously investigated cases, and the fact that Dr. Saraki was politically opposed to the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari seems to give strong grounds for objective bystanders to conclude that his current travails have gone beyond prosecution and are now tending towards persecution. 

“The laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are made for all and we fought for democracy so that the powers of the state would not be used to suborn tyranny and oppression. 

“In the instance, I urge Dr. Bukola Saraki to stand firm and take solace in the fact that Nigerians still hold the constitution higher than any other authority.” 

Atiku urges all Nigerians, and especially those tasked with upholding the constitution and the laws of the land, to note that silence in the face of oppression is akin to acquiescence.

The former vice president assured that he will always stand up for the constitution and Nigeria.