2011: These are unusual times – Atiku Abubakar

By Emma Ujah

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday kept mum over President Goodluck Jonathan’s reported criticism of Nigerian politicians playing ethnic cards for the purpose of realising their ambitions but said “these are unusual times”.

Journalists had cornered Alhaji Abubakar after the commissioning of Madugu Hotels &Luxury Apartments in Jabi District of Abuja hoping to get him to react to president Jonathan’s comments in far away Canada on Thursday.

In spite of several questions, however, the former number two man refused to be drawn into commenting on president Jonathan’s remarks on ethnicity.

Alhaji Abubakar and former military leaders, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida are the arrowheads of the Northern Leaders  which is insisting that the presidency remained zoned to the North in 2011.

President Jonathan was reported as saying that those playing ethnic politics were doing so owing to their inability to compete.

Your Excellency, we would like you to comment on the developments on the political scene…

Abubakar: No. I only want to comment on this event (the commissioning of Madugu Hotels & Luxury Apartments in Abuja).

Sir, this is very unusual of you.

Abubakar:  Yes, because we are in unusual times.

Unusual times?

Abubakar: Yes unusual times.  I only want to comment on this event.  I will comment on other issues when it is appropriate for me to comment.

Your Excellency it is very unlike you to meet journalists and refuse to say anything about the polity.

Abubakar: Yes, because I am part of them therefore it may be usual .