By Emmanuel Aziken, Ben Agande & Henry Umoru

LAGOS — FORMER Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of re-inventing unconstitutional tactics earlier outlawed by the courts in its proposals to stop certain politically-exposed persons from contesting the 2011 elections.

Atiku’s reaction came as the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA, said it was not bound by the advisory as regarding its reputed founder and presidential aspirant, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.

National chairman of the party told Vanguard that the relevant organ of the party would have to meet and take a decision on the issue.

Reacting to the advisory issued by EFCC to some political parties to bar certain politicians from contesting the election, Atiku said neither the EFCC nor the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, could bar anyone from contesting the election.

Among those listed in the advisory are former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Kalu; Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, PDP, Ogun Central; and former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja.

Also on the list is Senator Saminu Turaki, who like all others mentioned in the advisory, are presently enmeshed in criminal cases instigated by EFCC.

… EFCC yet to inform us, says PDP

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—THE national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday that it has not received any letter from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, listing forwarding the names of those found to be corrupt and cannot contest the 2011 general elections.

Answering questions from journalists in Abuja yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, noted that PDP cannot pass judgment on whether somebody was guilty or not against the backdrop that as a party, it was not a court of law.

He said: “That is why in the process of looking at all the issues involved, there must be proper consultations and discussions at every level so that everybody will be comfortable with whatever is the outcome.

“About two or three weeks ago, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the chairmanship of Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo had a meeting with the Chairman of EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri.”