The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has reacted to reports that a search was carried out on the private jet of PDP presidential candidate and fomer Vice President, Atiku Abubakar today November 11th. “The PDP counsels the APC and the Buhari Presidency to know that power belongs to God and that the time has come for Nigerians to choose a new President, for which they have collectively rallied around Atiku Abubakar and that their resort to violence, smear campaign, character assassination and rigging will not change this resolve.”. But, today, he is now being treated as a suspected criminal because he is aspiring to be president. Comrade Jomo Omojola Omolokun, a member of the civil society group, said: “The action of the security agencies was geared towards humiliating the former Vice President who the government is now seeing as a great threat to their remaining in power beyond May 2019. All Rights Reserved. Nnamdi Kanu Being Sponsored To Thwart Igbo Chances For Presidency In 2023 – Group. The minister also suggested that Atiku’s claims had been hatched from Dubai to deface the Buhari administration as intolerant of opposition ahead the 2019 elections. ATIKU ABUBAKAR NET WORTH 2020 FORBES. They can move to the domestic terminal only upon the completion of the arrival processes. If such an act could be meted to a former vice president, then you and are not safe.”, Keeping It In The Family And Fortunes Of Diamond Bank, Ekiti Assembly Speaker, Others Pay Tribute To Ex-Lawmaker, Daramola, Ondo PDP Leaders To Meet Ahead Zonal Congress, AbdulRazaq Felicitates Emir Of Ilesha-Baruba At 73, AFRD 2021: Buhari, Osinbajo, Others Honour Fallen Heroes, Armed Forces Day: Lalong Urges Support, Prayer For Military To End Insecurity, Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Buhari Reminds Nigerians To Guard Unity Of Nigeria…, Kebbi Govt. “We should not be reckless in our quest for power. 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Chika, who spoke in Enugu, said: “We all know that the security search on our presidential candidate was the hand work of President Muhammadu Buhari as a way to intimidating. No one is excused from them under our laws. “Of course, every action against him now is not unexpected because uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, or the head that is aspiring to wear the crown, if I may put it that way. Frank described the alleged plot as a “desperate to nail him”. He asked: “As a former vice president of this country, does Atiku Abubakar enjoy any immunity in this regard? Atiku Abubakar GCON (born 25 November 1946) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. In a tweet on Sunday, Atiku thanked his friends and associates who graced the wedding fatiha. Intels, in October 2017, had been drawn into a battle with the NPA over the termination of the pilotage agreement with the firm, based on advice by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). Economy Features. “I strongly believe that the Atiku Abubakar I know will not want to be involved in anything that will bring down this country, which is why he should not be embarrassed unnecessarily. Meanwhile, Timi Frank, ex-deputy spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says there was a plot to plant foreign currencies in Atiku’s private jet. A chartered private Bombardier Global 7500 Executive Jet carrying Ruto arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Sunday afternoon, according to People Daily. (Together, #LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain. So, they were put to shame. According to reports, which were confirmed by Paul Ibe, Atiku’s spokesperson, the jet conveying Atiku from Dubai landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 1:30am, into the waiting arms of security operatives. He’s a renowned entrepreneur and a politician. 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It was gathered that the private jet conveying Atiku from Dubai landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 1:30am, into the waiting arms of the security operatives. The Federal Government has defended the search conducted on the private jet of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on arrival from Dubai. ABUJA DOCTOR REVEALS HOW MOST NIGERIA MEN ARE NOW OVERCOMING TERRIBLE BEDROOM PERFORMANCE DUE TO THIS BRILLIANT DISCOVERY. “However, one can say that the action was right that as the former Vice President like any other Nigerians and cannot be above the law. Checking of his aircraft should be seen as beneficial, than otherwise, even for his security as unscrupulous elements could have planted explosives or any dangerous material in the plane.”, The Law Is Not A Respecter Of Anybody – Lawyer. Nweke Christopher Chika , the North East Zonal Coordinator of Atiku for 2019 in USA and Diaspora, in his reaction, condemned the security search on the private jet of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, describing it … “The Buhari Presidency and the APC should bear in mind that this is an attack on our democracy and the collective sensibility of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians, across board, who have accepted the choice of Atiku Abubakar as Nigeria’s next President and they will vigorously deploy every means available in a democracy to defend him and our democratic process. Chief Ukanna Osuigwe Mbaoha is a chieftain of People for Democratic Change (PAC), Owerri North chapter in Imo State. — Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) November 11, 2018. ATIKU ABUBAKAR WEALTH, ASSETS AND BUSINESSES. With the registered office at 8, WEMPCO Road, Ogba, Ikeja, it publishes DAILY INDEPENDENT, Monday – Friday, SATURDAY Independent, SUNDAY Independent with online properties... FG Reiterates Commitment To Speedy Projects Implementation, Fresh Concerns As Miyetti Allah Seeks Inclusion In Amotekun, Atiku Will Restructure Nigeria If Elected President In 2023 – Alozie. “I will also want to seize this opportunity to advise the law enforcement officers that Atiku Abubakar who is now the presidential candidate of PDP was a vice president of this country and should be accorded that respect. His father, Atiku announced the news on his verified Twitter page on the 22nd of March, 2020 after the Nigerian Centre … It was, however, gathered the operatives found nothing implicating during the operation. “After the search, did they get any incriminating object on him? Law abiding citizens are encouraged to respect the laws of the country and our VIPs should not seek to be treated over and above the citizens they wish to serve,” Sirika said. They were said to have stripped everything including the luggage and also searched the pilot and co-pilot. “Today, Atiku Abubakar, as a presidential candidate, has the highest demography of supporters and volunteers across our nation and we will not hesitate to call them out in defence of democracy if another such attempt is made against our candidate. These checks are mandatory, conventional, internationally applied and routine. But, now that he has become a presidential candidate of the major opposition party, he and his supporters should expect what is now playing out, which I will describe as African way of playing politics. It was gathered that the private jet conveying Atiku from Dubai landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 1:30am, into the waiting arms of the security operatives. According to him, the search lasted for hours and the squad was “disappointed” when they could not find anything implicating. “Before now, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been travelling out and coming back to the country without being harassed at any of the airports by anybody. “Nigerians need to know that one of the resolutions of the Atiku team at their recently concluded, opulently held Dubai retreat, was to embark on scaremongering,” Sirika said, adding, “This is one of such.”. Being a former Vice President does mean that he is above the law. Abubakar, in a series of tweets on Sunday, advised the Muhammadu Buhari administration to ‘swallow its pride’ and fix the country’s failed economy. “My advice to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is that he should prepare for the worse, because, more of such embarrassments are on the way before the final battle. Security operatives allegedly swooped on a private jet conveying the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Atiku … Ahmed Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has wedded his lover Sa’adatu Hamidu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, (THEWILL) – The presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party is insisting that the search conducted on the luxury jet belonging to the politician when it touched down in Nigeria from Dubai was a premeditated intimidation tactic despite government’s explanation that it was routine. It was, however, gathered the operatives found nothing implicating during the operation. In a statement released this evening, Sirika said the search was a routine exercise that applies to all international arrivals. I arrived to Abuja this morning to a search by agents of the state, aimed at intimidating me and my staff. Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) last Sunday, November 11, 2018, searched the private jet of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that brought back to Nigeria from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAR). Timi Frank, ex-deputy spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in his reaction, said there was a plot to plant foreign currencies in Atiku’s private jet. DON'T BE A VICTIM! “Did the security agencies conduct search on any of the president’s aides? A family source disclosed this to TheCable on Saturday and confirmed that the former vice-president has left Nigeria for the UK, where he will spend some time before flying to the US. “Well, whatever may be the motive behind the search may have been the reason even Atiku himself who was not happy going by his remark that, before now, they never searched him whenever he was at the airport traveling out of coming in the country. peratives of the Department of State Services (DSS) last Sunday, November 11, 2018, searched the private jet of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that brought back to Nigeria from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAR). Frank described the alleged plot as a “desperate to nail him”. A file photo of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. “There is an adage which says that the law is made for man and not man for the law. “While it is true that the Task Force on Currency at the airport did the routine action of checking the former Vice President’s travel bag, he was accorded full respect as a senior citizen. Paul Ibe, Atiku’s spokesman, confirmed the incident to TheCable on Sunday. Atiku, who arrived in Abuja in a private jet, was said to have been accompanied by some of his aides and children. Approves N2.4bn For Constituency Projects, Niger Delta Group Pledges Cooperation With FG, Others On…, Tambuwal Announces Death Of Commissioner For Home Affairs, Budget Transparency: Bayelsa Did Not Participate In N123.34…. TheCable understands the combined security team were looking for foreign currencies. Atiku Abubakar’s foray into the business world started in the real estate sector during his days as a … Ben Amaeze Eziuto, Chairman, Democratic Alternative (DA), Ikeduru LGA of Imo State. I am committed to building a Nigeria where no citizen is intimidated by agents of state who are paid to protect them. The combined security team, sources said, were looking for foreign currencies. Search On Atiku’s Jet Intended To Embarrass Him – Chika. Chika, who spoke in Enugu, said: “We all know that the security search on our presidential candidate was the hand work of President Muhammadu Buhari as a way to intimidating   and harassing Atiku, which is wrong, because such security search on presidential candidate and a former Vice President is embarrassing to the nation. Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to reports of the economic recession that has hit the country. The security operatives reportedly stripped everything, including the luggage and also searched the pilot and co-pilot. The former vice president did not elaborate but said the search was meant to intimidate him. He is also the owner of one of the country’s most expensive private jets. Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar says Nigeria needs to stop borrowing to avert sliding into a further recession. The wealth of Alhaji Atiku net worth is estimated to be in the region of $1.4 billion currently. “These checks are carried out on all international arrivals and President Buhari does not get involved in them. Recession: Nigeria needs necessary but painful actions – By Atiku Abubakar. UPDATED: Why airport security searched Atiku – Aviation Minister. ; The company had threatened legal action, but later backed down and made assurances that it would comply with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) rules. The Federal Government has defended the search conducted on the private jet of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on arrival from Dubai. Independent Newspapers Limited, registered on July 17, 2001 (RC No: 419927), commenced publication on October 1, 2001. “We invite President Buhari to recall that as a presidential candidate, he had occasions to travel out of the country and the government in power never besieged or harassed him in any way. He said: “For the records, all incoming passengers on international flights go through Customs, Immìgration, health and security screening. © 2001 - 2021. His administration should therefore not introduce such violence in our democratic space. Hadi Sirika, the Aviation Minister, in a statement debunked Atiku’s account, describing it as “a mischievous attempt to grab the headlines”, even as he tried to explain take-off and landing procedures at the international airport, Abuja. But, now that he wants to be a president, the government of the day no longer sees anything good about him. “Although I am not saying if he is found to be indulging in criminal activities he should not be questioned for the fact that nobody is above the law of the land. Uproar greet security agents’ searching of Atiku, private jet NEWS DIGEST–A cross section of Nigerians and groups yesterday reacted angrily to the search conducted by security agents on the private jet of former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. “They go to the arriving aircraft as a team. Where the aircraft is using the private, charter wing, as the PDP candidate did, such arrivals are met by a team of the Immigration, Customs and other security agencies. He is the owner of an Embraer Pheenom 100 Jet worth $4.1 million (N1, 563, 330, 000). May God deliver us all. “But, one thing I would like to recall is that when Atiku Abubakar defected to APC to mobilise support for Buhari to become President in 2015, nobody referred to him then as a criminal. It is also important to state that even in the Presidential Wing of the airport the President of Nigeria uses, there is the presence of Immigration and other security officials who must stamp his or her passport on arrival. Since the return to democracy, Abubakar has contested in all the elections. So the APC wanted to frustrate him. Independent Newspapers Nigeria. by Samuel Ogundipe and Kunle Sanni. “Due to information at our disposal, I have been saying it that the PDP presidential candidate is not safe under this administration because the Buhari’s administration is deploying all manners of devilish strategies to nail all the opposition leaders especially, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” the statement read. “Co-founder of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (Intels), Atiku Abubakar, has been selling his shares in Intels over the years. “On behalf of my family, I express my deepest appreciation to friends and associates who graced […] Atiku Abubakar. But, we will not allow that to happen. “We are using this medium to inform the international community to also take note of how Buhari administration is intimidating the opposition presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who has served Nigeria as vice-president for eight years.”. Wrong in the sense that he should have been given desired recognition for his status as former Vice President of this country and maybe that was why many Nigerians have been reacting to the search as more of personalising what people are pre-empting about the 2019 general elections and using same against the person of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. PICS by ChangeIsCostant : 7:59pm On Oct 11 , 2018 Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and his team have departed Abeokuta, Ogun state, after paying a political visit to former president Olusegun Obassanjo earlier today. “Without having received any answer regarding the matter, on 30th of November 2020 Mr Atiku Abubakar was informed about the set-off of such sum while we made available the remaining sum of $5.4m. The couple exchanged marital vows over the weekend. Ahmed Salawu, a Minna-based journalist, stated: “I can say it is both right and wrong to see security agencies to search the private jet of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar given his status as a former Vice President. Or, are you saying that being a one-time vice president, Atiku is above the law? Atiku Abubakar Private Jet. He said: “What happened to Atiku was part of the plot by the APC to embarrass and to humiliate him because they see him as a formidable force to be reckoned with in 2019. A former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of “destroying his legitimate business that was employing thousands of Nigerians because of politics”. I believe he is also aware of this. They’re really working in this country oo. Deputy President William Ruto has returned to the country following a top-secret four-day trip to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 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