The All Progressives Congress, APC has mocked Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the alleged scandal around the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu mocking that the former vice-president’s study of elementary law may have made him to arrogate justice indiscriminately.
APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim in a statement bashed Atiku, the 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for making a conclusive statement on an issue that is still under investigation.
Atiku had in a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Tuesday, had commended Tinubu on the suspension of Edu from office but added that there were yet many other sinners within the APC.
He said, “While Tinubu deserves commendation for suspending Edu, we believe this is a belated move. Firstly, he had no business appointing her as a minister of such a sensitive ministry in the first place. Tinubu put politics ahead of competence, hence this scandal.
“What experience did Betta have in the development sector? How was Imaan Ibrahim, with her wealth of experience, overlooked? How did the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, stand as Betta Edu’s referee during her clearance at the Senate?”
The APC Director cautioned the former vice president against jumping to conclusions, pointing out that Edu is not guilty until the allegations against her are proven.
He lambasted Atiku and the PDP, saying that they faced more corrupt allegations than Edu and the APC.
Ibrahim stated, “Atiku, from his record, it was said somewhere that he read elementary law. If indeed he studied law, at whatever level? Even if it is a kindergarten level, ought to know that the presumption of the law on an accused is that he is innocent until proven guilty.
“At the stage, we are now, a thorough investigation has been directed; it will be wrong for anyone to jump to the conclusion that there is theft or that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is a conduit that is made to siphon public funds for APC governments.
“If it is, the investigations will not have been directed, and the government would not have acted swiftly and appropriately it did”.
On the allegation that the APC is a corrupt party, Ibrahim clarified, “If you say because a few people in the APC who are accused of wrongdoing are to limit wrongdoings to the APC, then, one is not being fair to the composition of parties.”
“In Nigeria, and I am sure like in other countries of the world, there is no party that is composed of saints, there is no party that can beat its chest and say its members are infallible.”
He further added, “What is important is to see that the party they belong to has the willingness, the desire, and the courage to call them to order when they go wrong. The APC and the President of the country, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have demonstrated that willingness.
“If on the basis of allegations you will jump to conclusion, the PDP will not be in a position to talk because ever since the formation of the party in Nigeria, there has not been any party that has faced allegations of corruption like the PDP.”
