Peter Obi Support Network, POSN today demanded that Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu should withdraw from the 2023 presidential race over allegations and counter-allegations of corruption and drug conviction against them.
The Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressive Congress, APC have allowed their media managers to trade damaging allegations that question their own character and integrity.
POSN in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Comrade Sani Saeed Altukry said that Nigeria now needs neither Atiku’ nor Tinubu to lead the country because both have succeeded in painting the candidate of the other party as a criminal who is unworthy of being the President of Nigeria.
POSN recalled how the former aide of Atiku Abubakar revealed details of how his former boss looted the nation’s treasury through Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV while he was the Vice President between 1999-2007 adding that such an individual does not deserve to move closer to the corridor of power.
The group further said the drug conviction against Presidential candidate of the APC in the United States of America leaves a huge question mark over his character and has inflicted huge reputational damage on the APC candidate.
POSN said Nigerians will judge any presidential contender on Character, Competence and Capacity.
“We have observed the current situation in our political space ahead of Presidential election which is scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023 and as Nigerians who are yearning for a country that is devoid of corruption and fraud, we hereby state unequivocally that both Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu are not eligible to occupy any public office and definitely should not become the President of the most populous black nation considering shocking revelations of corruption against Atiku Abubakar.
“It is now apparent that Nigeria’s Anti-graft agencies were unable to pin any corruption conviction against Atiku because of his notorious expertise in looting public funds through Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV as confirmed by his former aide.
“The recent audio leaks in which Atiku Abubakar admitted in phone conversations with his former media aide, Micheal Achimugu, provides overwhelming evidence for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC start a fresh and holistic investigation of how Alhaji Abubakar sold government owned companies at give-away prices.
“It is on record, for instance that the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, which was set up with $3.2 billion, was sold to a Russian firm, Russal for a paltry $130 million.
Similarly, Delta Steel, which was set up in 2005 at a cost of $1.5 billion, was sold to Global Infrastructure for just $30 million.
“The whistle blower in his testimonial has volunteered to appear in court and defend the leaked audio which was made available to the public and up till now, the Presidential candidate of PDP is yet to personally refute the allegations.
“The shocking revelations of corruption against of Presidential candidate of PDP has justified former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s stance on Atiku Abubakar in his book ‘My Watch’, that Atiku is incorrigibly corrupt!
“On Tinubu’s case in the United States of America, the popular blogger, David Hundeyin has provided indisputable evidences against the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress on Judgment For The Forfeiture of $460,000 Belonging to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Narcotics Trafficking And Money Laundering.
“The American judiciary has provided court dockets proving that on October 4, 1993, Bola Ahmed Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the United States Government for his involvement in narcotics trafficking and financial transactions in violation of the U.S laws.
Bola Tinubu’s Health
“It is also a well-known fact that the health and well-being of a leader is of the utmost importance, as it directly affects the stability and prosperity of a nation.
“The recent appearances of Presidential candidate of APC in public domain has revealed that Tinubu has symptoms of dementia. This raised serious concerns about his ability to lead a country of 200 million people.
“Tinubu’s Campaign Director, Najaatu Muhammad who visited him at a private meeting in London recently confirmed that Tinubu slept most of the time and was unable to hold a cup of tea, indicating a severe deterioration in his physical health.
“Nigerians have also seen multiple video recordings of Tinubu sleeping away at public functions.
“There have also been numerous instances of slurred speech on his campaign trail, incoherence, being prompted on live television by his aides, and his inability to grant live interviews, all of which point to a serious decline in his mental capabilities.
“It is therefore clear that Tinubu is not only physically unfit, but also mentally unfit for the position of president. This is not a matter of opinion, but a fact that has been substantiated by multiple sources.
“It is good and acceptable to say that Tinubu is sick and is not fit to become the President, while praying to God to grant him healing. Anybody can be sick, but what is wrong and condemnable is seeking to do what is obvious one’s sickness would not allow him to do, which is what Tinubu is doing.
“We recognize that any of us can fall sick and should never make mockery of the sick. However, the leadership of a country as large and diverse as Nigeria is a daunting task and it is imperative that the person holding this position is of sound mind and body.
“The question then arises, what is the honourable thing for a presidential candidate to do in this situation? The answer is clear: he must step down. It is not only in the best interest of the country but also in the best interest of the candidate himself. The leadership of a country is a heavy burden and it is not fair to subject a person in such a poor state of health to such a task.
“Furthermore, it is dangerous to elect a man suspected of having dementia as the leader of a country. Dementia is a serious neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. It is a progressive disease that can lead to severe cognitive impairment, making it impossible for a person to carry out even the most basic tasks.
“To entrust such a person with the leadership of a country is not only irresponsible, but also a grave mistake that could have severe consequences for the entire nation.
“As concerned Nigerians, we therefore posit that if there is any honour left for both Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu, the honourable thing for them to do right now is to withdraw from the presidential race because Nigeria at this point of nation’s history, need men of Capacity, Character and Competence to lead the lead the country.
“We do not need a leader that will corrupt our youths or a leader that will mortgage the future of this nation by looting the country dry via SPV”, the statement said.
Photo: (L-R) Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate.
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