APC PCC seeks Atiku’s probe for fraud within 72 hours

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) yesterday called for the arrest, interrogation and prosecution of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The call followed allegations of corruption and using  “Special Purpose Vehicles” (SPVs) between 1999 and 2007.

The council also asked the PDP flag bearer to apologise to Nigerians and step down from the February 25 presidential election due to the allegations and the evidence against him.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), also gave the three anti-graft agencies 72 hours ultimatum for Atiku’s arrest, interrogation and prosecution.

He threatened to go to court if Atiku is not investigated and prosecuted.

But, the PDP fired back, saying that its candidate will not withdraw from the race.

The five-page petition dated January 16, 2023, to the Chairmen, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) accused Atiku of four major infractions.

The APC-PCC alleged that Atiku colluded to fleece the country of public funds, using what he termed as SPVs.

At a World Press Conference addressed by the media directors at the PCC Headquarters in Abuja, the council said the offences should not be ignored.

The chief spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs, Keyamo, alluded to the revelations by a whistle-blower, Mr Micheal Achimugu, about how the former Vice President, through SPVs, defrauded and fleeced the nation’s funds to run the opposition party while he was in office between 1999 and 2007.

Keyamo alleged that Atiku colluded with his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, “to fleece the country and steal public funds, using what he termed SPVs.”

The APC PCC also called on security agencies to recover all the monies siphoned through all the pseudo companies floated as SPVs during 1999 and 2007.

He urged the law-enforcement agencies to protect Achimugu, who has blown the whistle on Atiku.

The PDP yesterday said Atiku would not resign over allegations of corruption.

The party said it is the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who should withdraw.

In a statement by the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the party dismissed the call by the APC as irresponsible.

He said the call for Atiku’s resignation was a ploy to divert public attention from the issues affecting Nigerians.

Ologunagba said the corruption allegations levelled against Atiku were simulated by the ruling party.