Atiku also said that anyone with evidence that he stole or built his investment on public funds should come forth with such.
The former Vice President said
that Nigerian constitution did not give him the powers to execute projects,
adding that he lacked the powers to execute official projects of his own
initiative while in office.
He said he had limited capacity
to deliver even on some lofty projects designed for his own state in Adamawa
while he served with President Obasanjo.
Atiku said this on Tuesday while
speaking to journalists on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport
in continuation of his consultations to Bayelsa and Rivers States for his 2019
presidential bid.
Atiku, who is a PDP presidential
hopeful, pointed out that the administration he served in as Vice President
awarded contracts for the Mayo Belwa-Jada-Ganye-Tongo and Yola-Mubi-Maiduguri
roads in Adamawa State in its first term.
He said that there was supposed
to be a spur of the road linking Mambilla in Taraba State and thereby making it
the shortest cut to Mambilla but execution of these projects were delayed and
later truncated on the altar of politics.
Atiku said allegations that funds
meant for road projects in the state were diverted to build the American
University of Nigeria in Yola was being unfair to him, and that “it shows lack
of understanding of how government runs on the part of the people making such
allegations. Government does not run on such pedestrian level, it is a
process.”
He maintained that all the money
used for setting up the first development university in Africa came from
private sources.
“To set the records straight, no
public funds were involved in all my investments in several sectors that have
continued to provide jobs and enhance educational and socio-economic well-being
of Nigerians. I have always been contented with what God has given to me in all
its ramifications and I thank Him for using me to better the lot of the people.
“Without being immodest, I was a
successful businessman before going into politics and subsequently becoming the
Vice President by Allah’s Grace. I was not desperate to be in government in
order to make money but to serve the people in my own little way and contribute
my quota to its overall development.”
Atiku asserted that he was the
most investigated Vice President in Nigeria, and challenged “anybody with
evidence linking public funds to the AUN or any of his private investment
should come forward to prove that.”
Atiku lamented that some people
do not appreciate individuals who create wealth by their personal initiative
and resourcefulness but rather hold contrary views with the stigma of such
possessing ill-gotten wealth.
He said that it was wrong to assume
that one can’t succeed without stealing public funds, noting that it is well
documented that he (Atiku) had made a success of his businesses before he was
tapped as Vice President.
“If money was my motivation for
seeking elective office, I would not have joined the presidential race at any
point in time in my political career. My ability to make money through my
businesses was established long before I was chosen as Vice President,” he
said.
He stressed that passion for
service, and the desire to bring efficiency in the management of government
affairs are the main reasons he wants to run for President.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com