Posted by By IDOWU BAKARE and JACOB EDI, Abuja on
The vice president and presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar continued his onslaught on President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, accusing him of approving $2 billion for procurement of weapons to suppress the people of Niger Delta.
The vice president and presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar continued his onslaught on President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, accusing him of approving $2 billion for procurement of weapons to suppress the people of Niger Delta.
He also called on Nigerians to shun the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the coming elections, saying that a vote for the party was a vote for Obasanjo.
Speaking at the commissioning of his presidential campaign office, named ‘Democracy House,' in Abuja, Atiku said: "Just recently, the president approved $2 billion to buy weapons to suppress the people of Niger Delta. Two billion US dollar, not to develop the Niger Delta but to suppress them."
Saying that an Action Congress (AC) government would use the same resources being expended on weapon to develop the Niger Delta area if voted into power, Atiku, who also inaugurated his campaign's Presidential Advisory Committee, said: "If you vote PDP again, you are voting Obasanjo. Do you want to vote Obasanjo again?"
His supporters chorused "No" in answer to that question.
The vice president noted that the journey had been torturous and challenging, adding: "But if those who made it so hoped that it will distract, intimidate and demoralize us, they were mistaken. We are here; we are marching forward and no one can stop us."
He said that the struggle for democracy was usually difficult, adding: "But it is one that patriots must engage in if they hope to be free. To avoid the struggle for freedom for whatever reason is to run away from freedom."
Other speakers on the occasion include former national chairman of PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who called on Nigerians to join the struggle to vote Atiku into office in 2007. He said that the Atiku presidency would not only provide for the basic needs of Nigerians but also engender true democracy.
According to him, Atiku's greatest achievement would be that he led the struggle for the emancipation of the people and not merely becoming the president. He asked Nigerians to await Atiku's campaign, which he said would address the failings of the Obasanjo administration, like job creation, electricity, housing, security of life and property as well as true democracy, which, according to him, are the basic wants of Nigerians.
In his comments, Chief Tom Ikimi gave an assurance that Atiku's campaign would be issue-based. He said that the PDP opened its campaign in Lagos last week with nothing to tell Nigerians.
"They have nothing to say because all those that are important have left the party and are now with AC," said Ikimi.
He challenged the PDP presidential candidate to a debate, boasting that Atiku was capable of speaking for himself.
Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, berated the PDP government, saying that the government embarked on the sack of 12,000 policemen without providing alternative jobs. This, Tinubu said, would only increase the already alarming state of insecurity in the land.
He urged all state governors to, as a matter of urgency, absorb such policemen who lost their jobs in the recent purge, promising that Lagos State government will employ them for the sake of security of life and property.
Tinubu took a swipe at government's handling of issues like power generation, fuel supply, healthcare delivery, foreign reserves, saying that an AC government would do better. He appealed to the National Assembly to revisit the Electoral Act, with a view to amending it to accommodate open-secret ballot system, which, he said, would guide against rigging in the coming elections.
Chief Solomon Lar, who extolled the virtues of Atiku, said that those who plan to rig Atiku out of office in the general election would not be around to witness his victory. He called on the party's supporters to be steadfast.
Party dignitaries present on the occasion include, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, chairman, presidential advisory committee; Gen. Victor Malu; former Ekiti governor, Niyi Adebayo; Alexis Anielo, Titi Ajanaku, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Hon Abike Dabiri, among others.