As the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar renewed war of words against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, his political and media aides have tarred Atiku with same brush over allegation of corruption and sexual harassment.
When asked by journalist Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie on Untold Stories if he was surprised by the National Assembly’s endorsement of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu Atiku, Atiku described Senator Akpabio as a corrupt politician and accused him of having a habit of abusing women.
“I was not surprised because I know that the leadership is corrupt, and I have no apologies for that. They could do anything.
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“The Senate President is actually known for having that type of character, even when he was a governor. He (Akpabio) was not only corrupt as a governor, but he was also in the habit of abusing women. Akpabio is corrupt, not only is he corrupt, he has the habit of abusing women,” Atiku emphasised.
In a rapid response, the All Progressives Congress Media Network in Akwa Ibom State lampooned him over his recent remarks against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, calling them reckless and unbecoming of a political figure of his stature.
Defending Akpabio on Wednesday, the Director-General of the APC Media Network, Iniobong John, issued a statement in Uyo on Wednesday, calling Atiku’s comments reckless and inappropriate for a public figure of his caliber.
He stated, “We find it necessary to respond to the recent remarks made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has not only accused Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, of corruption but has also alleged that he has a propensity to abuse women. Such statements are, to say the least, reckless and unbecoming of a public figure of his standing.”
John further alleged that Atiku is known for corrupt tendencies, noting that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had made similar accusations in his autobiography, My Watch.
He said, “Historically, Atiku Abubakar is recognised as the most corrupt politician in Nigeria. During his tenure as vice president, he abused his office to fraudulently acquire numerous national assets.
These allegations have been affirmed by his former principal, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has categorically stated that Atiku is too corrupt to be entrusted with any public office in our nation.
“Furthermore, in his autobiography, My Watch, former President Olusegun Obasanjo dedicated several chapters to detailing how Atiku Abubakar misused his position to illegally acquire national assets. This illustrates not only a history of corruption but also a fundamental lack of character.”
John added, “It is clear that someone with such a tarnished reputation lacks the moral standing to accuse others of corruption. Atiku Abubakar’s reckless remarks about Senator Godswill Akpabio reflect a level of mischief, malice, and political opportunism taken too far.”
He went on to defend Akpabio’s political career, describing it as illustrious and marked by exemplary leadership.
“Senator Akpabio’s tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State was marked by visionary policies and tangible development projects that have endured long after he left office. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and integrity in public service.”
John also dismissed recent allegations made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, calling them “thoroughly discredited” due to her lack of evidence and clear political motivations.
“It is shocking that despite her reputation as a content creator and serial blackmailer, Atiku Abubakar would still choose to amplify her baseless claims,” John remarked.
In a similar development, Eseme Eyiboh, media aide to Senator Akpabio, said his principal respects ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and would, therefore, not respond to Atiku’s claim of corruption and sexual abuse against him.
Eyiboh stated this in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday.
He was asked for his principal’s reaction to Atiku’s claim in a recent media interview that Akpabio is corrupt.
Asked for his principal’s reaction on Thursday, Akpabio’s media aide responded” “Is Atiku the proper person to discuss corruption in Nigeria, from your knowledge of history? So what is his history when it comes to corruption? Is he the proper person to take us on that? Anyway, my principal wouldn’t want to engage him on that issue.
“The Senate President doesn’t respond like that. He’s the former Vice President of Nigeria and we are giving him that respect. So, no matter what he does, we cannot go to the dustbin to fight or start debating with him on such an issue.”
Eyiboh said as number three citizen in Nigeria, Akpabio was too preoccupied with important national issues to be debating with Atiku.
“The Senate President is the number three man in this country and his primary responsibility is about the preservation of the country’s sovereignty and respect to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So he will not be able to go to the street to join issues with anybody,” he said.
