The Federal Government has today advised Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be careful and stop overheating the politics with purported self-help moves after losing the February presidential election.
The warning was issued in Abuja at a press conference addressed by the Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed and, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu.
The press statement was in reaction to the posters bearing Atiku picture with the inscription:” THE PUKKA, H.E. ATIKU ABUBAKAR, THE REAL AND THE RIGHT”, littered across major streets in Abuja.
The Minister revealed the appearance of the posters is affirming the media report that Atiku had hired a US lobbying firm to sway the US not to recognise the re-election of President Muhammad Buhari until the Supreme Court has ruled on the suit by the PDP presidential candidate.
Mr, Mohammed disclosed that the alleged action by the former Vice President was an attempt to win by deception or through the back door the election he had already lost.
The Minister added, the government was not unaware weather Atiku had denied the allegations, and has distanced himself from the posters, however, the response was necessary because of the heavy implications the actions portends.
Expressly, the minister alleged that the purported actions meant that, Atiku, “out of desperation, is thinking of going the Venezuela way as his party has always been considering even before losing election in February.
Mr, Mohammed warned, that Nigeria is not Venezuela and that the two countries scenario is entirely contrary.
He added “The posters and the hiring of US lobbyists, the renewal of such effort by the PDP candidate, have left the government with numerous questions about what is Alhaji Abubakar up to.
In his words, “Is Atiku starting a fresh campaign after the elections have been won and lost?
“As a self-acclaimed democrat, Atiku should realise that the only lawful channel for challenging election result is through the courts.
However, “Resorting to self-help, as he seems to be doing now, is an act of desperation and the consequences are dire,” the minister added.
