A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, seems to
be in love with controversy and he appears to be a
dogged fighter in the game. In politics, he has an
ample dose of unsettled issues with the ruling
Peoples Democratic Party, especially now that he is
linked to the New PDP.
Not done with that, the other day too, he engaged
his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a
debate about his eligibility to travel to the United
States of America.
However, just as the US dust is settling, the former
number two citizen on Tuesday stirred a fresh
debate on the social media space, declaring via a
post on his website that he bought a house for his
mother at the age of 14.
Atiku, in the blog post, said contrary to the belief
that he “soiled” his hands while serving in the
Nigeria Customs Service, as well as during his
eight-year tenure as Vice-President; he had a
history of genuine “business success.”
He said, “It never mattered that I had a history of
business success 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.”
But tell it to the marines, seems to be the thinking
of the some Nigerian social media users, who
received the claim with a pinch of salt. Little
wonder, they further prodded him to explain how, at
14, he mustered the financial muscle to buy a
house.
For instance, an online socio-political activist,
Kayode Ogundamisi, is one of the first critics, who
questioned the former Vice-President’s claim.
Ogundamisi said, “How did we end up with deluded
characters as so called leaders in Nigeria. That
former Vice-President Atiku would have Nigerians
believe he bought a house for his mother as a
minor/child is a clear indication that Nigeria’s
problem is beyond human understanding.”
Another Facebook user, Adedayo Daramola
asked,“Was it through innovation or through
corruption that the former Vice-President
accomplished the feat.”
However, Ogundamisi and Daramola are not alone
in the circle of Nigerians doubting the veracity of
Atiku’s claim.
For another Facebook user, Steve Collins-Ogwu,
there appears to be more than meets the eye.
He stated, “At that age, what was he doing to rake
in cash to have been able to afford the home? The
last I checked, he was not into entertainment of any
kind or an athlete to be able to earn cash at such an
early stage. I need him to lecture me on how he did
it.”
On Atiku’s blog post also, a reader, who identified
himself simply as Inyang described the former vice-
president’s piece as “rhetoric” and called him as a
“trickster.”
Inyang said, “Sir, I pray many Nigerians will be able
to see beyond that gibberish piece of write-up and
see you for the trickster that you are. You bought
your mother a house at 14! What business brought
forth such largesse?
“I personally would like to know. Please spare us
the rhetoric and leave room for the younger and
honest blood in our beloved country Nigeria who
are out there praying for the chance to lead this
country out of the mess you and your likes have led
it. Please find a place to sit and give chance.’’
Meanwhile, Atiku on noticing the controversy his
claim had generated online hurriedly took to Twitter
to clarify his position. He said via his Twitter
handle, @atiku, that due to his “humble
background,” he took vacation jobs to fend for
himself and his family members as a teenager.
He tweeted, “It’s true I bought my mother a home
as a teenager. At 14, I was working as a clerk for
Mallam Adamu Ciroma, the District Officer in the
Ganye Native Authority. It was a temporary holiday
job.
“The house was a thatched, mud bungalow, with
two rooms, a kitchen and bathroom. It cost £9,
saved from my £3 monthly earnings. In those days,
secondary school students in long vacations took
jobs. Temporary jobs for experience and some
money, before returning to school.
“Most kids of my age bought shirts and shoes – but
my mother was homeless. So, I saved and I bought
that home for her. It is possible for people from a
humble background to accomplish great things,
even as teenagers, believe it or not.”
But even with his later clarification, many are still
not satisfied with his explanation. According to
them, the development smacks of a hidden political
agenda.
An anonymous reader on lindaikeji..com
wrote, “Why does Atiku kind of remind me of ‘I had
no shoes’ saga. Now I see someone introducing
some political emotional tactics to win hearts, a
scheming for some certain agenda!’’
Another reader on the same blog stated, “Alhaji
Atiku, I am assuming that your holidays were for a
full three months in one calendar year and you did
not pay any taxes on the money you were paid? Or
did you save over two to three years working the
same job? A likely story! The chances you guys had
then, hmmm?
“Now I’m a graduate and I cannot even afford a
day’s meal not to talk of, buying a house for my
mother as well. So much for the havoc you guys
wrecked on the system, amassing wealth for
yourselves!’’

Punch

Shameless leaders.

groworldwide: Shameless leaders.

Only God knows who is telling d truth amongst dem..........GEJ sef no get sandals wen he dey go school. All is well sha

this man doesnt no the first thing about politics





#silence