Posted by From Ike Abonyi in Abuja on
The raging disagreement between President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Atiku Abubakar, continued unabated at the weekend, with the Presidency ignoring the number two citizen's request to use the presidential jet.
The raging disagreement between President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Atiku Abubakar, continued unabated at the weekend, with the Presidency ignoring the number two citizen's request to use the presidential jet.
THISDAY gathered exclusively, that Atiku applied for the use of the presidential jet called G5, officially assigned to his office, to pay condolence visit to Yola, Adamawa State capital, but his application was not responded to.
As a result, he left Abuja Saturday morning to Yola, on a chartered flight.
He was also denied the use of the Presidential wing, as he travelled through the passenger section of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
THISDAY also gathered that the chartered aircraft belongs to Kings Airlines.
Atiku's Spokesman, Garba Shehu, who confirmed to THISDAY that he travelled on a chartered aircraft, said the number two citizen went to Yola for condolence visit to the Minister for Agriculture who lost his elder brother, Alhaji Bashir Bello, Atiku's classmate.
Atiku was also expected to visit members of his family before returning to Abuja.
The Vice President who is also the Presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC), returned to the country last week, after spending 32 days in USA, as part of his annual vacation.
While in USA, Presidency Spokesman, Uba Sani on December 23, 2006, declared Atiku's seat vacant, citing his acceptance of the
Presidential ticket of the AC as one of the reasons.
The judicial and political reactions that trailed the pronouncement led to reversal of the decision by the Presidency, when the Court of Appeal ruled that Atiku still remains the Vice President.
When Atiku travelled to the US, he was denied the use of the Presidential jet and had to travel with the British Airways. He was also not allowed to use the aircraft on his return, but his chartered aircraft was allowed to land at the Presidential wing.
Since then, he has remained in his official residence citing non- restoration of his official cars and security for his non- appearance at the office.