Tinubu’s Certificate Saga: Atiku should count us out- NNPP

By Biola Adebayo On Oct 7, 2023

Bola Tinubu, Certificate Saga, Atiku Abubakar, NNPP, — Tinubu’s Certificate Saga: Atiku should count us out-NNPP

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has declared its intention to remain neutral in the ongoing dispute between the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu regarding the latter’s academic records from Chicago State University.

The NNPP said it would be more concerned with issues associated with the party and to allow the court to carry out its constitutional duty of deciding the case.

Atiku had in a press conference on Thursday called on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and that of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other presidential candidates to join him in his legal battle against President Tinubu, particularly over the certificate forgery allegation.

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Atiku had sought leave from a United States Court to order the Chicago State University to release to him certificates of the President to back his allegation of forgery against the President.

Last Monday, the US Court released the President’s document which sparked reactions both within and outside the polity.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nwaeze Onu, noted, “If you remember we are not in court, and if you jump into what you are not, you become an interloper. We do not want to get engaged in what we are not part of. We love the country more than we love ourselves.

“We need fairness, we need equity, and we allow the court to do its constitutional responsibility. We address the issues that are within the level of our party.”

While commending the judiciary for their role in promoting the rule of law, the party appreciated the condition under which they are working, praying that they should continue to work towards upholding the principle of fairness and justice.

Onu continued, “This party came into existence about 21 years ago. But little was known about the party until a little over a year ago when some notable politicians joined it. And today, the party has been taken to all the nooks and corners of this great country to the extent that it came fourth in the last elections.

“We are using this medium to appreciate Nigerians in general for accepting the NNPP and seeing the party as the only hope for a better Nigeria.

“However, along the line, we discovered that some leaders of the party did not know that things had changed. They wanted to continue using every election to negotiate with governments in power at both the national and state levels, instead of contesting elections. Even when notable politicians joined, they frustrated them by aligning with the government in power,” he said.

“That was our experience in the last elections, and this prompted the party’s leadership to sanction about nine states where the executives were dissolved and some chairmen suspended or expelled.

The deputy chairman, however, further revealed that erring chairmen of the party who became disgruntled and embarked on “a war” against the party, even to the extent of conniving with enemies of the party were disciplined.”

He advised outsiders fighting the party to steer clear and stop meddling in the internal affairs of the party.

While reassuring of the party’s commitment to enthrone democracy and all its dividends, it appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission for its passion to the growth of democracy in the country and also for its support to the party.

“We are also assuring Nigerians that we will continue to hold them dear to our hearts,” he concluded.