ATIKU WENT TOO FAR, A VICTIM OF INTEGRITY DEFICIT DISORDER, ROTIMI MAKINDE.

A former lawmaker who represented Ife Federal constituency at the House of Representatives in the 7th Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a man too desperate for power, adding that his conduct is totally unhealthy for the country’s democracy.

Makinde spoke against the backdrop of Atiku’s recent move in filing new documents against President Bola Tinubu before the Supreme Court in which he accused the President of forgery and lying under oath, and should therefore be disqualified and removed from office.

The evidence filed by the former vice president was the academic records of Tinubu, which were handed over to him by the Chicago State University following the order of an Illinois court in the United States of America instructing the institution to release the academic records as requested by Atiku.

Speaking on Sunday at his home town in Ile-Ife, Makinde said;

“I am deeply disappointed at what people now call fresh case against President Bola Tinubu, this Chicago State University matter has been on for decades and for me, I always describe it as a mere smokescreen meant to distract and disrupt the wheel of progress in the country. The reality is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar went too far. The former VP is too desperate for power and his conduct is totally unhealthy for the country’s democracy.

“The University might have said they do not issue replacement certificates, but same University under oath acknowledged that vendors do so on their behalf and that President Tinubu attended their institution, so there is no case of forgery anywhere and the public needs to dismiss from their minds, these odious, spurious and vicious claims purportedly made by the PDP and its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku.

“Who I expect Nigerians to ask relevant questions is the same Atiku that brought international disgrace and shame to Nigeria with the money-laundering case involving Congressman William Jefferson. I am so surprised that men who lack moral rectitude and who have no honor will stand to stir up the hornet's nest, create tension, spread falsehoods, manufacture fake news and overheat the polity all for pecuniary interest. This in itself is treasonable, to say the least.”

Makinde also berated Atiku’s lack of principles, noting that his integrity deficit disorder will continue to rub-off on him socially and politically.

“Atiku has the constitutional right to associate and assemble, but his penchant for crossing from one political party to another raises moral question on his rectitude and how he is willing to sacrifice values for political ambition and more importantly his integrity deficit disorder calls for serious concerns.

“Without doubt Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has a constitutionally defined and guaranteed right to lawful association and assembly provided for by section 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Clearly, the former Vice President more than anyone else understands this right and has leveraged it a few times,” Makinde stressed.

But he noted that “by Abubakar’s exercise of this right under Section 1, he has inadvertently raised moral questions against his ambition.

“Nigerians are more politically aware today than they were yesterday,” Makinde disclosed. “So, when the moral question as to Atiku’s seeming desperation for power is raised, I believe he must not gloss over it, but respond with due respect for the Nigerian electorates.

“He cannot wish this question away. And he will do better not to engage attack dogs to manage such issues, but dutifully and meticulously pick a team of dynamic persons who have great temperament and well measured language to assist him where necessary. I must therefore emphasize that Nigeria is bigger than any of us. Moreover, great leaders are expected to be honorable men by every standard. May God bless Nigeria and may President Bola Ahmed Tinubu succeed.” Makinde stated.