By Ishaya Ibrahim
Indications emerged on Tuesday that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government may have decided to bare its fangs following a warning to former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
The warning which came from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused Atiku of committing felony, warning that the party and the Buhari government will deal decisively with anyone found wanting irrespective of position in society.
The party accused Atiku of usurping the powers of the president and playing roles only reserved for the president of a country in a presidential system of government.
The APC is irked that Atiku felicitated with Boris Johnson on his emergence as new British Prime Minister, “even when our duly elected President, who has the responsibility of making an official statement on such matter, has made the position of our country known.”
Accusing Atiku of parading himself as a “Shadow President,” a position which it claims is an aberration in a presidential system of government, APC warned that, “Our laws are clear on all acts of criminality, in this case, a clear case of felony. Nigerians expect that the enforcement of relevant laws should apply to every Nigerian, irrespective of class and status. This government would not be found wanting where it is required to take decisive actions.”
The statement which was signed by the national publicity secretary of teh party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu reads:
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) strongly condemns the 2019 presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who has now made it a pastime to make public statements on issues, which constitutionally should be reserved for the duly elected head of government or his designees.
“As a Party, we would have thought that Alh. Atiku who in the past occupied such high office as the country’s vice president would clearly understand the workings of government, particularly as it bothers on national security, foreign policy and our international engagement. We have noted Alh. Atiku’s incessant habits of releasing statements on public issues as if he were an alternative President of this country and with a clear intention to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC-led government.
“In recent times, Alh. Atiku has demonstrated lack of regard for the sovereignty of the office of the President and Nigerian government through condescending statements. He has made several of such statements regarding the activities of the Nigerian military, issues of national security, and international relations.
“The latest of such statements is the one he made on the emergence of Mr. Boris Johnson as Prime Minister of Britain even when our duly elected President, who has the responsibility of making an official statement on such matter, has made the position of our country known. We note with serious concern that Alh. Atiku has been throwing himself around as a shadow President of Nigeria. We would like to state clearly that such position could only be found under the parliamentary system; it does not exist under the Presidential system of government that we practice in Nigeria.
“Alh. Atiku, like every Nigerian citizen, should understand that being a candidate for an elective office, including that of the President, does not confer on him a sovereign status. Alh. Atiku’s continuous portrayal of himself as a shadow President under our system borders on felony and makes him a patent impostor.
“There can only be one democratically elected and legitimate government at a time in this country. That clearly is the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is important to remind Alh. Atiku that issues of national security, foreign policy and international engagements are not matters to be exploited to achieve mischievous political ends.
“We reiterate that Alh. Atiku has lost the 2019 presidential election and it would be unhelpful to him to continue to make a mockery of our country. We expect Alh. Atiku to quickly address himself to the stark reality of his loss and move on. Our laws are clear on all acts of criminalities, in this case, a clear case of felony. Nigerians expect that the enforcement of relevant laws should apply to every Nigerian, irrespective of class and status. This government would not be found wanting where it is required to take decisive action.