The ADC Presidential Campaign Council has responded to recent comments by APC spokesman Felix Morka on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying allegations against Atiku should not be presented as convictions.
In a statement on Friday issued by its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, the Council said Morka’s comments did not address issues affecting Nigerians such as cost of food, fuel, transportation and electricity.
The Council said that the warning that Atiku must be kept away from the national treasury does not reflect the record of public service.
On foreign reserves, the Council faulted the claim that President Bola Tinubu raised reserves from $3 billion to over $54 billion, noting the Central Bank of Nigeria reported $34.39 billion at the end of May 2023.
The Council said foreign reserves are national assets and that Atiku’s proposal on fuel subsidy would be transparent, budgeted and tied to petroleum products refined in Nigeria.
On Mambilla arbitration, the Council said the tribunal questioned explanations for a $500,000 payment involving Leno Adesanya and Jennifer Douglas but did not find that Atiku received bribes or used the office to secure a disputed contract.
ALSO READ: 2027: Join APC or quit rainbow coalition, Gov Lawal tells Wike
It noted the tribunal held there was actually no contract.
On the 2010 United States Senate report, the Council said report examined transfers involving Atiku and Jennifer Douglas but did not adjudicate criminal guilt, did not establish Atiku received Siemens payments to account held by Douglas, and stated no evidence was introduced at William Jefferson’s trial showing Atiku sought or accepted bribe.
On PTDF, the Council said the report recorded recommendations for sanctions by the Nigerian Senate committee but found no evidence the Senate imposed them.
“If he claims there is a conviction, let him identify the court and publish the judgment,” Shaibu said.
On Code of Conduct Tribunal matter in 2011 involving President Tinubu over operation of foreign accounts while serving as Lagos governor, the Council noted charges were struck out after tribunal found Code of Conduct Bureau had not followed required procedure and that Tinubu was not convicted.
On leadership record, the Council said during Atiku’s first term as vice president, the administration introduced Universal Basic Education and Atiku chaired the National Council on Privatisation and held responsibility for part of the economic reform programme.
The Council said Atiku would answer serious questions with facts and that campaign will focus on issues confronting Nigerians.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV