By Frank Momoh
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer in the February election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said that the former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki,
is presently facing prosecution by government because he (Saraki) opposed to President Muhammdu Buhari, before and during the just concluded election.
Atiku in a signed statement which was made available to the media, said the revival of previously investigated cases, and the fact that Saraki was politically opposed to the administration of Buhari seems to give strong grounds for objective bystanders to conclude that his current travails have gone beyond prosecution and are now tending towards persecution.
On stance against corruption, Atiku said: “I stand against corruption in government, which was why my office personally facilitated the take-off of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after it was created by the 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 opponent. Saraki, the immediate past Senate President, is one of the most investigated politicians in Nigeria.”
According to him, Saraki, has been investigated and prosecuted all the way to the Supreme Court and has prevailed against his accusers. It was expected that that should have been the end of the matter.
The laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said are made for all adding that we fought for democracy so that the powers of the state would not be used to suborn tyranny and oppression, he said.
He said he urged Saraki to stand firm and take solace in the fact that Nigerians still hold the constitution higher than any other authority.
“I urge all Nigerians, and 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. I will always stand up for the constitution and Nigeria.” Atiku said