Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday said he knew he would lose the 2007 presidential election, yet was determined to give “a gift of legitimacy” to democracy through his participation in the poll.

The former Vice President, who lost to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, said he would never stop fighting for democracy – win or lose.

“I went out, voted, went home and waited for my loss, as expected.

“I knew that while I was going to lose a battle, I had won the war – a war to preserve the sanctity of our democratic process,” Atiku said in a statement by his Media Adviser, Garba Shehu.

Atiku explained that after struggling for decades with other patriots to enthrone democracy and wrest power from the military, the choice to defend Nigeria’s democracy was non-negotiable for him.

He said he was faced with a choice of remaining in office as vice president for much longer or defending democracy and the Constitution.

Atiku said: “The tough, correct choice – our constitution – was the path I chose. And in doing so, I shunned an offer that could have kept me in high office for a potentially long period of time.”

The former vice president said he believed Nigerians would see his position as a battle to save the soul of the country and, therefore, judge him fairly.

But he got what he did not bargain for, he said.

Atiku added: “What I did not see coming was one of the best executed smear campaigns aimed at tarnishing everything I had legitimately worked to achieve in our struggle for democracy.

“The aggrieved power mongers threw every contrived accusation they could at me, from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to the National Council of Privatisation (NCP) committee.

“Despite constant and total vindication at every turn by our courts, in the end, battles are won and lost in the court of public opinion. And despite zero evidence or guilt, these opponents of democracy remain unyielding in their attempts to smear my hard-earned reputation.

“It never mattered that I had a history of business successes prior to entering politics. It never mattered that from the moment I bought my mother a home as a 14-year-old boy, I was running various businesses to provide for my family.

“It never mattered that as a Customs official, I maintained one of the best ever records of returns to government and always beat my revenue targets. You do not do that by ‘taking’.

“Further, during the so-called “53 suitcases” saga in the 1980s, it was my record of service that saved my job. In the face of intimidation by a ruthless military government, I did my job without fear or favour.

“After leaving the Customs, I used my knowledge and drive to build a very successful string of business ventures.

“It never mattered that my asset declaration forms, which were filed prior to entering office, showed my successful business record of creating jobs and opportunities in Nigeria.

“What mattered was that I was wealthy. And after the smear campaign and various frivolous charges levelled at me by the aggrieved power-mongers, public opinion ruled against me.”



http://thenationonlineng.net/new/atiku-i-knew-i-would-lose-in-2007-poll/

like we care

It never mattered that we don't like you


It never mattered that we don't care


It never mattered that you are corrupt


What mattered is that we will not vote for you.

taiocol: like we care

perhaps you are unaware of the events leading to the 2007 elections.atiku's steps back then did a lot to entrench democracy.it was well known that he'd lose but his vicotires in court have served as INEC's guiding principle til date

Delafruita: perhaps you are unaware of the events leading to the 2007 elections.atiku's steps back then did a lot to entrench democracy.it was well known that he'd lose but his vicotires in court have served as INEC's guiding principle til date

Abeg make we hear word! The irrelevant political prostitute making noise as usual. Who is Atiku? Even El Rufai has more political value than him now. He is a political nonentity! Make he try go America make we see now!

so Atiku u new b4 commiting political sucide. majiri! how do u think 2015 will not be worst 4 u

Who is this so called Atiku?.,....mayb na d vodka wy i drink no mk me knw am or na £nd time dy affect me....nt easy 2 apper on fp

theoctopus:

Abeg make we hear word! The irrelevant political prostitute making noise as usual. Who is Atiku? Even El Rufai has more political value than him now. He is a political nonentity! Make he try go America make we see now!

i am not talking of his current political value,i am talking his actions in 2007 and how they helped shape the legal process.first,it was atiku and his henchmen that stood against third term.secondly,his many court cases and the interpretation of the constitution provided by the courts in those cases.one of such cases remains a reference point in terms of decamping post election.

Really?

I don't like people who seem over desperate for power and atiku and buhari seem like the best example of desperation and I'll never cast half a vote for any of them

lucenzo: It never mattered that we don't like you


It never mattered that we don't care


It never mattered that you are corrupt


What mattered is that we will not vote for you.

On Point.

speecless

Even atiku's thread is worthless; no one seem to be comment on this thread. Let me help the thread small jare, at least d thread go move up now.

The media is becoming problem in Nigeria. Why must they air all this useless talks from this clueless non entities

ATIKU never fought OBJ(3rd term) because of Nigerian but for his own selfish plot and despiration for power...did you guys know this same ATIKU contested against MKO(of blessed memory)in defunct SDP primary in 1992.?(Wondering where GEJ was then)..this man should pls go and sit down and let some candidates who are not power conscious try their luck..

I am suppose to type END TIME THINGS, but i wont.

I won't be surprised if this prostitute declares for Labour Party or APGA tomorrow

n by dis tym,u shud hv known dt u will also loose 2015 election..looser!!!

How could someone come out to tell us he was pessimistic about his election. What a visionless man.

Atiku knew he would lose the elections yet he went ahead, if I call him foolish boy now, una go say i no try

MY NEW PLEDGE FOR NIGERIA
I PLEDGE TO NIGERIA MY COUNTRY
NOT TO VOTE 4 ANY PERSON WHOSE CHILDREN
ARE SCHOOLING IN ABROAD
FAMILY USE MEDICAL FACILITIES ABROAD
ABANDONED THE ROAD NETWORK IN NIGERIA
AND FLY PLANE ALWAYS
GO ROUND WITH NOISE MAKING ESCORT
OFFICE ALWAYS IN ABUJA
CANNOT PUBLICLY DECLARE HIS ASSET AND
CANNOT WRITE ON HIS POSTER
"IF I GO ASTRAY, IMPEACH ME OR ARREST MY
FAMILY MEMBERS FOR MY SINS"
SO HELP ME GOD