BEVERLY HILLS, September 11, (THEWILL) – Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has pledged to fight corruption like never before if given an opportunity to be Nigeria’s President, stating that vast experiences both in the public and private sectors and his ability to build a team capable of accomplishing the task have prepared him for the job.
While challenging anyone who can prove that he is corrupt to do so or forever keep quiet, he categorically warned his “self righteous political enemies to either prove his alleged corrupt activities, or mind the skeletons in their own closets”.
“I will shock everyone because I believe that I will fight corruption like never before,” he said.
According to a press statement released by his media office in Abuja, Atiku stated this on Monday while on a a facility tour of the new Yaliam Press Limited in Jabi area of Abuja.
His words, “It is sickening to continue to regurgitate allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office.”
The APC chieftain regretted that people who have no initiative, personal resourcefulness and ideas about wealth creation, always assume that a man cannot build himself without stealing.
According to him, “People who are bereft of ideas about entrepreneurial spirit always think that everyone else is a thief just like them.”
The Waziri Adamawa added that it is morally offensive for people who despise honest labour to become judges in the courts of public opinion.
He explained that though he has not been convicted of corruption by any court in the land or elsewhere, his political enemies have been parading a fake morality to fool gullible Nigerians.
“Despite previous desperate efforts to link me with corruption, the William Jefferson trial in the United States ended in 2009 without indicting me or linking me to corrupt activities,” he said.
Atiku, who was responding to the welcome address by the Chairman/CEO of Yaliam Press Limited, Yahaya Ali Amfani, recalled that he had pasted a reminder at his bed rest during his training as a Custom Officer that he (Atiku) would retire from any agency if he had not attained the headship of the place at the age of 40.
Atiku said that he was only able to attain the position of Deputy Director before his exit in 1989 to chart a career in business.
Atiku maintained that he retired from the Customs Service with untainted record, and that if anybody has evidence that he stole a kobo at the Customs or during his tenure as vice president, such accusers should come forward or file a petition against him.
Atiku said he did not become a Vice President in 1999 as a pauper because he has been a successful investor throughout his retirement life.
About the Author
