Police invitation: I stand with Sen. Adeleke – Atiku

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, has thrown his weight behind the candidate of the party for the Osun State governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, over his invitation by the police.

The police on Wednesday directed Adeleke to report with immediate effect for arraignment over examination malpractices along with four others.

But reacting to the development, Abubakar said in a statement he personally signed: “I have received the news that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Osun State gubernatorial election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been summoned by the Police to be arraigned for examination malpractice and other sundry criminal charges, with a great disappointment and alarm at the threat to democracy in Nigeria.

“Let it be on record that I completely condemn this act, which comes less than a week to the elections in which Senator Adeleke is a major participant and front-runner.

“It is obvious that these are politically motivated charges to hamstring the expected victory of the PDP’s candidate. Coming so soon after the surreptitious payments of N16.7 billion so-called Paris Club refund to the incumbent All Progressives Congress administration in Osun State, which was condemned by the generality of Nigerian Governors from both the APC and the PDP, it reflects desperation on the part of the Buhari administration.

“Nigerians were witness to the fact that a minister admitted, after being exposed, to forging her certificate. This minister was escorted to the airport and allowed to board a flight to London to escape the long hand of the law.

“On the contrary, Senator Adeleke has no proven case of forgery or fraud against him. Why then has the police waited till now to declare Senator Adeleke wanted, just three days to the election?

“I warn both Nigerians and the international community that democracy is on trial in Nigeria. Senator Adeleke is being victimised and we call on all lovers of democracy to stand up to resist this fascist attempt to steal an election.

“Ironically, certificate forgery or absence of certificates, go all the way to the top in the APC led federal government. Unlike some people who have hired thirteen Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Senator Adeleke has been able to get the West African Examination Council to certify today that he indeed sat for his school leaving certificate in 1981.

“This by itself should stop the police from their malicious prosecution of Adeleke if the rule of law were guiding this administration.

“Finally, I urge all PDP party faithful to remain steadfast and head to the polls this Saturday the 22nd of September and vote for Senator Ademola Adeleke. The power of the people is indeed greater than the power of any fascist.”