*SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASH AGAINST ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (GCON) ON THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DR. ISA PANTAMI.*

The attention of the AFN has been drawn to a social media backlash against the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON) on his purported silence over the allegations against the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy-Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, bordering on incitement of terrorism.

While the AFN wholly aligns with well-meaning Nigerians in their call for the resignation and possible prosecution of the Minister, the AFN wishes to state that the views of His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on issues in our march through nationhood, including those relating to Dr. Isa Pantami's past, and purportedly renounced ideologies, are personal to him, and would be expressed when they become most expedient.


His Excellency has been a constant voice of direction and wise counsel on issues affecting our great Nation, and reserves the right to react on any of such issues upon a proper evaluation of its varying dynamics and implications for national security.

The AFN wishes to state further that the reaction, or otherwise of His Excellency to the trending national issue, does not in anyway, detract from his well known liberal ideologies, nor can it be elevated as an endorsement of the Presidency's somewhat complimentary position on the matter, as reflected in the statement of Garba Shehu, of 23rd April, 2021.


It is gratifying to note that Nigerians attach great value to the usually patriotic positions of his Excellency on our National issues, and Nigerians can rest assured that his Excellency will not shirk that responsibility.


What we have however collectively learnt from this sad episode of our nationhood is the steep price of insensitive and inequitable leadership manifesting in setting of different standards for different category of persons. No goverment which operates on the basis of such selective justice, can be able to unite a secular and pluralistic Nation like Nigeria. Little wonder the country is falling apart on all sides.


While 2023 may still be far off, the AFN urges Nigerians to remain steadfast in the hope that howsoever long the night might be, morning soon comes. Only then, can we take back our country, and set it again on the path of equity and progress, hopefully under an Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Presidency.


Signed:

Chief Hon. (Barr.) Sunday Umeha
Director General-ATIKU FOR NIGERIA

25th April, 2021