Atiku vows to continue fighting for probity, justice, morality in Nigeria

• Urges Obi, Kwankwaso, others to join him

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has vowed to continue in his campaign to enshrine probity, accountability and the basic principles of justice, morality and uprightness in the country and in government.

Atiku made the vow on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference he addressed on issues that define the future of elective government and legitimate leadership in the country.

The PDP presidential candidate has consequently called on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi and his counterpart in New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, NNPP, Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso among others to join him in his struggle.

According to him, “In line with this, therefore, I am calling on all well-meaning Nigerians, leaders of thought, our religious leaders, our traditional leaders, our community leaders, our political leaders, and in particular, Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP and, the leaders of every political party in Nigeria, and, indeed, every single person who loves this country, as I do, and who wishes nothing but the best for the country, as I do, to join me in this campaign to enshrine probity, accountability and the basic principles of justice, morality and uprightness in our country and in our government”.

At the press conference, which was attended by former Governors, erstwhile Ministers other chieftains of PDP, said, “I am a democrat by conviction and a citizen of a country that I love.

“The issues at stake in this case require us once more to re-dedicate ourselves to both the country and our constitution.

“Now, we entrust these facts to us all as citizens and as leaders of the institutions charged with interpreting our constitution.

“I should thank the lawyers both in Nigeria and in the United States, who have assisted us in bringing clarity and definitive answers to these issues that appear to have defied our institutions for nearly a quarter of a century.

“I also want to extend my gratitude to Nigerian citizens and friends of Nigeria both within and beyond the shores of our country for their patience as we have sought to find the facts and establish the truth.

“I wish to pay tribute to the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, who inspired us on this path of discovery.

“Now, he can truly rest in peace in the assurance that what he started about 23 years ago has come to fruition. Gani’s vindication today gives credence to the saying that no matter how fast a lie runs, the truth will someday overtake it.

“Former American President, Thomas Jefferson once said, “If I had to choose between government without newspapers, and newspapers without government, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose the latter”.

“From exposing the Watergate scandal and unravelling the dubious certificates of politicians, journalists have maintained eternal vigilance by bridging the gap and stepping in when other arms of government failed.

“It is for these reasons that commendation must be given to David Hundeyin, an independent journalist whose extraordinary work and those of many more young people like him has become a source of inspiration.

“Special thanks must be given to the millions of Nigerian youths and citizen journalists too who continue to put out the truth online even when no one is listening. Indeed, the price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance.

“They have put the country first in their firm commitment to unravel the truth and hold leaders accountable.

“This gives me the hope that we have worthy partners in the struggle to reclaim the country we call home”, Atiku said