Atiku applauds UK’s £200m North-East reconstruction pledge, APC mum on allegation of side-lining 

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has commended the United Kingdom for pledging £200 million to rebuild Nigeria, especially the Northeast geo political zone where he hails from.

A press statement released by the Atiku Media Office Thursday in Abuja quoted the former Vice President as saying: “to paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, the UK and Nigeria are two countries separated by a common language. Our two nations have too much in common not to have common ground.

“As I said to the UK’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, when I met her earlier this summer, Nigeria is not asking for what we have not given. The gallant men and women of our armed forces have given their lives and limbs to bring peace and prosperity to nations all over the world and in time past we made generous contributions to the development of other nations.”

Waziri Adamawa, who described UK as Nigeria’s oldest friend and ally, also urged other long term friends of the country to support the federal government “as we rebuild our nation and defeat our common enemies in the war on terror.”

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has refused to comment on the side-lining accusation against it and the presidency by the former Vice President and a chieftain of the party.

The Waziri Adamawa on Wednesday had said that he had been side-lined in the party he helped to come to power in 2015.

Atiku, who spoke in Adamawa reportedly said, “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved.

“But sadly, soon after the formation of government; I was side-lined, I have no relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they’re but three years down the lane, this is where we are.”

But several attempts made by our correspondent  to hear from the side of the APC leaders were frustrated, even as some of the outspoken party leaders pleaded to be left out of Atiku’s outburst.

One of the party leaders who pleaded not to be named in print said the former Vice President actually said the minds of large numbers of APC members.

According to the APC NWC member; “even the party had once complained about the relationship between the Presidency and the party executive.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, when contacted said the party as the time of filling this report “has no official position on the allegation.”

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