Ime Akpan
The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Mr. Atiku Abubakar, has renounced that he hired a US lobbyist company for $30, 000 to advance his cause at the election petition tribunal and undo President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Centre for Responsive Politics (CRP) reported that Bruce Fein, former justice department official and his firm Fein & DelValle PLLC was registered on March 24 as foreign agents on behalf of the PDP and Atiku.
The firm is expected to “encourage Congress and the executive to forbear from a final declaration and recognition of Nigeria’s February 23, 209 presidential election until outstanding legal challenges to the initial government of Nigeria assertion that incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari was the victor are impartially and independently resolved by the supreme court of Nigeria without political or military influence, intimidation or manipulation”.
According to the report, Atiku is seeking to be recognised by the US as the president of Nigeria, and halt the final declaration of Buhari as the president until the matter is ruled upon by the Supreme Court.
According to the firm, parts of its services on behalf of Atiku include to “meet and consult with members of Congress and staff in an effort to pass House and Senate resolution(s) to forebear from a final declaration and recognition of a winner of the 2019 Federal Republic of Nigeria presidential election pending legal challenges to the initial assertion that incumbent President Buhari was the victor are impartially and independently resolved by the Nigerian judiciary in accordance with the rule of law and due process, free from military or political influence.
“Draft articles and op-ed pieces to spotlight the issues in Nigeria post-2019 presidential election arid to promote the rule of law and due process in resolving electoral disputes in Nigeria.
“Make television and other media appearances to engage in public advocacy discussions of these issues.”
However, Atiku in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Paul Ibe described the allegation as a “total fabrication” sponsored by the Buhari loyalists.
He said it “didn’t come as a surprise to us because lying has become their only bragging rights of competence.
“Lying has become a culture to the APC’s administration and, therefore, we are not surprised by their latest diversionary allegations.
“Since Atiku resisted pressure not to go to court, the APC has been behaving like a cat on hot bricks because the outcome of the 2019 elections has exposed and shattered the facade of its dubious integrity.
“The APC is behaving nervously like a thief living under the fear of being exposed and shamed. It is now using fake news against Atiku instead of focusing on defending itself in the court.
“For a party that has broken the worst record in election rigging, the APC doesn’t have any iota of integrity to be taken seriously by anybody,” said Atiku.
The statement added that “since Atiku resisted pressure not to go to court, the APC has been behaving like a cat on hot bricks because the outcome of the 2019 elections has exposed and shattered the facade of their dubious integrity.
“The APC are behaving nervously like a thief living under the fear of being exposed and shamed; they are now using fake news against Atiku instead of focusing on defending themselves in the court,” the statement read.
“For a party that has broken the worst record in election rigging, the APC doesn’t have any iota of integrity to be taken seriously by anybody.
“Atiku’s court case has become their biggest burden because it exposes their integrity as a sham, and instead of defending their stolen mandate in court, they are now using fake news to divert public attention from the historic electoral heist they have committed against Nigerians.
“No amount of diversionary propaganda and fake news campaign by APC will stop Atiku Abubakar from continuing the court action he started to reclaim the stolen mandate.”
