Why My Husband Was Victimized While In Customs – Mrs. Titi Atiku

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The wife of the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Titi Atiku Abubakar, has revealed that her husband’s insistence on inspecting the contents of the 53 suitcases imported into country during the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari led to his being victimized in the Nigeria Customs Service.  

Mrs. Atiku, who stated this in Abuja when she paid a visit to the leader of the Niger Delta and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark and other leaders of the South-south, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Middle Belt Forum,

said the controversial 53 suitcases were brought into the country by one of the first class traditional rulers from Northern Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar was the Customs Officer in-charge of the Murtala Muhammed Airport command when the suitcases were brought into the country during the change of the Nigeria currency in 1984.

In her words; “When Atiku was in Customs, there was an incident that happened in the 80’s when 53 suitcases were brought in by a traditional ruler during the administration of the present president and he (Atiku) insisted that those suitcases must be opened.

“But they were very angry with him and they called the then Minister of Finance, Onaolapo Soleye, and they said he should throw him out of the Customs, but the minister told them that he was one of the finest officers he had, that he would never throw Atiku out. That was what the man did. Then they said if he doesn’t want to throw him out, he should transfer him immediately. That was how Atiku was transferred to Kano that day.”

Commenting on the PDP national convention in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Atiku said that there was apprehension and fear among party leaders and stakeholders when the venue of the party’s national convention was moved from Abuja to Port Harcourt, adding that many people were of the believe that it was a ploy to edge out Atiku and that there would be a fight.

According to her; “However, God had ordained that Atiku would be the party’s flag bearer at the convention and when he emerged as the candidate of the PDP, he went to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, to thank him for letting the party use the venue.

Mrs. Atiku assured that as a successful private businessman, Atiku would bring his business sagacity to bear on creating a prosperous life for Nigerians and debunked insinuations that the former Vice President was corrupt.

According to her; “As someone who had been married to Atiku for nearly 40 years, I know him better and can say he is a just man.

Responding, Chief Clark said the forum of elders interviewed 16 presidential aspirants in their desire to get a candidate with the needed capacity and intelligence as well as the ability to keep the country together.

The elder statesman observed that the 1999 constitution encouraged division among Nigerians as against what was the case in the First Republic during which Nigerians put the interest of the country first.

According to Clark; “So, we are now looking for somebody among the candidates who will say I am going to restructure this country and fairness will come to everybody and you will manage your own affairs.”

The former Commissioner for Information said that Atiku, who has been an advocate of restructuring since 1994, would do the bidding of Nigerians, if elected president.