By Dirisu Yakubu

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 elections,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has advised immediate past Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to stay strong following moves by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arriagn him on allegations of corruption.

Atiku

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Abuja, Atiku came short of accusing government of plotting the downfall of the former Kwara state governor.

Describing Saraki as one of the most investigated Nigerians,  Atiku urged the ex-Senate President to take solace in the fact that the nation’s constitution is there at all times in the interest of all.

The statement read: “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.

“Dr. Abubakar Bukola 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 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 prosecution.

Also read: Saraki Not Involved in Appointment of Kwara Poly Rector, VC KWASU – KWSG

“I stand against corruption in government, which was why my office personally facilitated the take-off of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  with a loan, after that most important anti-corruption institution was founded 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 opponents.”

Atiku said 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 support tyranny and oppression, even as he called on Nigerians “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.”