Atiku is finished politically—Buhari

[Muhsin]

Atiku is finished politically—Buhari
By Emeka Mamah
Posted to the Web: Monday, February 19, 2007
Vanguard Newspaper


KADUNA — FORMER Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), believes Vice President Atiku Abubakar will not contest the forthcoming presidential election because the Federal Government has "finished" him politically.

But the Atiku Campaign Organisation says the general is frustrated.
Gen. Buhari is also accusing the Federal Government of employing underhand tactics to undermine the 2006 Electoral Act in order to rig the elections.

He spoke in Kaduna while receiving members of the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE) made up of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the Female Leadership Forum and the Human Rights Monitors in his office, weekend.

He said although the submission of names of candidates for the governorship and National Assembly elections closed on Thursday, February 14, 2007, the Federal Government had engaged in under the table negotiations for some of its candidates to be pulled out and be substituted," adding that this was because most of those affected by the recent EFCC indictment of candidates were in the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

He, however, warned that Nigerians would not accept results of rigged elections any longer. Apparently reacting to a recent statement by Professor Wole Soyinka among others that he lacked democratic credentials, Gen. Buhari said he "became a converted democrat since 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed without a shot being fired."
"Atiku has been finished as a candidate. He cannot participate," Buhari said, referring to the Vice President's indictment by the FG administrative panel.

Buhari, however, blamed the Presidency for allegedly doctoring the list of politicians indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by substituting some of the names and removing those loyal to it. "The EFCC developed a list of corrupt politicians. Some of the investigations were completed while some were not completed and they sent it to the Presidency. What went into the presidency was not the thing that came out and for those of us who did algebra, plus-minus equals to minus.

"I hope what I have just said, although none of you is a candidate, I hope you understand fully what I have said and what the problem is with us in the opposition parties.
"The submission of names for President and Vice President to INEC will close on February 20. I think for other candidates, it was supposed to close on the 14th. But I was made to understand that because a number of the candidates are from the PDP, there are quite behind the door or under the table negotiations for some of the candidates to be pulled out and be substituted before it is finally closed.

"I have tried to go down the memory lane so that we continue to operate from the same frequency. But really, this government is making it almost impossible for a free and fair election to take place.

"But it is in their own interest to go in peace by conducting a credible election because if they don't, we'll advise Nigerians that they must not allow this government to extend its tenure by a day.

"If they can't do it (conduct credible elections), the National Assembly must impeach the government and let it go, and let the Senate President be sworn-in. Let him (Senate president) conduct the election within three to six months and that is constitutional. I hope the people will live to answer for offences they have committed against Nigerians," he said.

Buhari further told the civil society group that as youths between the ages of 25 and 40, they should be conscious of what would happen to them if they allowed the government to rig the 2007 elections.

"If there is continuous insecurity and physical insecurity, you are those that will suffer for it for a generation. If we spend more than 10 years around, I think it will be a bonus. But for you, you are expected to stay for another 30 to 40 years. So, you are the people who should not tolerate rigged elections or corruption or indiscipline in this country because you are doing it at the expense of your own lives," he said.

He said although the ANPP members had been advised not to initiate crisis or precipitate violence or even use foul language, they must be in a position to retaliate and defend themselves. "I think the concern about violence is genuine. I spoke to all my supporters that they must not initiate foul language not to talk about physical assault. But they must be in a position, with a sharp tongue like razor blade in their aggressiveness on the line to take," Buhari said.

Atiku camp reacts

However, spokesman for the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari's utterances were out of desperation and his failure to achieve his ambition of taking over government.

"We sympathise with Buhari who we understand has based his winning strategy on the misfortune that they have concluded would befall Vice President Atiku Abubakar. With Atiku standing firm on the ground like the iroko tree, pulling the biggest crowd where ever he goes, Nigerians must understand Buhari when he speaks in frustration.
"Buhari must have become disenchanted by the failure of his efforts, both overt and covert, to get Atiku out of the presidential race," he said in a text message.

[Muhsin]

What happen to ANPP/AC Momerandum Of Understanding (MOU).
I am a bit unclear. What again is Buhari's meaning?