The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lambasted former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, over his remarks against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio where he said the former governor was not only corrupt but had a history of sexually harassing women.
While speaking in an interview with journalist Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie on Untold Stories on Tuesday, Atiku had alleged that the reason the National Assembly hastily approved the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu was because the leadership was corrupt.
“I was not surprised because I know that the leadership is corrupt, and I have no apologies for that. They could do anything,” he had said.
While making specific reference to Akpabio, the former VP said:
“The Senate President is actually known for having that type of character, even when he was a governor. He was corrupt. Not only was he corrupt, but he was also in the habit of abusing women.”
But in a statement on Wednesday, the Akwa Ibom APC slammed Atiku over the remarks, calling them reckless and unbecoming, coming from a political figure of his stature.
While defending the Senate President in a statement issued in Uyo, the state capital, Director-General of the APC Media Network, Iniobong John, said Atiku’s comments were reckless and inappropriate for a public figure of his caliber.
“We find it necessary to respond to the recent remarks made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has not only accused Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, of corruption but has also alleged that he has a propensity to abuse women. Such statements are, to say the least, reckless and unbecoming of a public figure of his standing,” John said.
“Historically, Atiku Abubakar is recognised as the most corrupt politician in Nigeria. During his tenure as vice president, he abused his office to fraudulently acquire numerous national assets.
“In his autobiography, My Watch, former President Olusegun Obasanjo dedicated several chapters to detailing how Atiku Abubakar misused his position to illegally acquire national assets. This illustrates not only a history of corruption but also a fundamental lack of character.
“These allegations have been affirmed by his former principal, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has categorically stated that Atiku is too corrupt to be entrusted with any public office in our nation.
“It is clear that someone with such a tarnished reputation lacks the moral standing to accuse others of corruption. Atiku Abubakar’s reckless remarks about Senator Godswill Akpabio reflect a level of mischief, malice, and political opportunism taken too far”.
John also dismissed allegations made by suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, calling them “thoroughly discredited” due to what he termed as her lack of evidence and clear political motivations.
“It is shocking that despite her reputation as a content creator and serial blackmailer, Atiku Abubakar would still choose to amplify her baseless claims,” John stated.
