EFCC vs Saraki: Atiku Blows Hot, Reveals What He Will Do
Atiku Reacts To Saga Between EFCC And Saraki
Former Vice President Alh. Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the current saga between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Dr. Bukola Saraki, president of the 8th Senate.
Naija News recalls Saraki had alleged that Ibrahim Magu, acting boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), visited him in 2016 and begged him to ensure that he was confirmed by the Senate.
However, in response, the EFCC in a statement by its spokesperson, Tony Orilade, denied any such allegation, accusing Saraki of mounting a media campaign against the agency.
The anti-graft agency further said it is working on vacating the court order stopping it from prosecuting Saraki.
Saraki has also since denied engaging in a media war with the EFCC, claiming he was being subjected to media trial by the commission.
Reacting to the saga, Atiku, the 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP on Tuesday, said there is a difference between prosecution and persecution.
He also warned against using government institutions against political opponents.
His full statement reads:
“I stand against corruption in government, which was why my office personally facilitated the take-off of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after it was created by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
However, there is a huge difference between prosecution and persecution. I am all for prosecuting the corrupt, but I believe it is wrong to use the instruments of state to persecute political opponent.
Dr. Bukola Abubakar Saraki, the immediate past Senate President, is one of the most investigated politicians in Nigeria. He has been investigated and prosecuted all the way to the Supreme Court and has prevailed against his accusers. It was expected that that should have been the end of the matter.
However, the revival of previously investigated cases, and the fact that Dr. Saraki was politically opposed to the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari seems to give strong grounds for objective bystanders to conclude that his current travails have gone beyond prosecution and are now tending towards persecution.
The laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are made for all and we fought for democracy so that the powers of the state would not be used to suborn tyranny and oppression.
In the instance, I urge Dr. Bukola Saraki to stand firm and take solace in the fact that Nigerians still hold the constitution higher than any other authority.
I urge all Nigerians, and especially those tasked with upholding the constitution and the laws of the land, to note that silence in the face of oppression is akin to acquiescence. I, Atiku Abubakar, will always stand up for the constitution and Nigeria.”
